Caustic soda

Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is a versatile alkali. Its main uses are in the manufacture of pulp and paper, alumina, soap and detergents, petroleum products and chemical production. Other applications include water treatment, food, textiles, metal processing, mining, glass making and others.

One of the largest consumers of caustic soda is the pulp and paper industry where it is used in pulping and bleaching processes, the de-inking of waste paper and water treatment.

The production of alumina from bauxite is a major end-use application for caustic soda. Demand has been growing faster than GDP levels driven by the growth in the use of aluminium. While consumption of caustic soda in alumina refining accounts for 11% of global demand, this use consumes more than half of caustic soda globally traded.

Caustic soda is a basic feedstock in the manufacture of a wide range of chemicals. It is used as an intermediate and a reactant in processes that produce solvents, plastics, synthetic fibres, bleach, adhesives, coatings, herbicides, dyes, inks and pharmaceuticals. It is also used to neutralise acidic waste streams and the scrubbing of acidic components from off-gases.