Sodium hydroxide

About

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is one of the largest chemical commodities produced in the chemical industry. Also known as lye or caustic soda, sodium hydroxide is a strong base, which is colorless and alkaline.

The chemical formula for sodium hydroxide is NaOH. Manufacturers produce sodium hydroxide as a co-product with chlorine and hydrogen through the electrolysis of brine, a salt solution (NaCl).

Caustic soda is highly corrosive. It is also colorless and strongly alkaline. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and an important industrial chemical with a strong ability to absorb moisture.
Sodium hydroxide is highly soluble in water and breaks up into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxyl ions (OH-). Bases conduct electricity when in solution because ions can move freely.

Largest Uses

The largest single broad use of sodium hydroxide is in the manufacturing of other chemicals and end-products. Our customers use caustic soda to manufacture sodium salts and detergents, for pH regulation and organic synthesis.

Due to its alkalinity (as opposed to acidity), caustic soda is useful in pH neutralization and correction in several processes, such as ion-exchange resins-regeneration.

Companies use sodium hydroxide in paper manufacturing and cellulose bleaching, and chemical and petrochemicals, metallurgical (alumina production for the aluminum industry), soap and detergents, textile (mercerization), and various applications in the food industries.

Sodium Hydroxide Functions

Acid neutralizers
Alkaline cleaners
Alumina extraction
Biofuels
Bleach manufacturing
Chemical manufacturing and compounding
Cleaning & sanitization products
Ion Exchange Resin
Regeneration
Drain cleaners
Food processing
Metal finishing, treatment, and cleaners
Municipalities: potable/waste/reclaim
Odor control
Oil well drilling fluids
pH adjustment
Petroleum refining
Pharmaceuticals
Plating/Metal finishing etch
Pulp and paper processing
Scrubber systems
Soap and detergent manufacturing
Tomato/fruit peeling
Textiles
Water treatment and water purification

Industries Also Use Sodium Hydroxide for These Applications:

Aluminum manufacturers in the chemical milling process,·which ultimately creates aluminum for building material, aluminum foil, lightweight airplane components, etc.
Chemical manufacturers for producing other chemicals and end-products such as solvents, synthetic fibers, adhesives, herbicides, dyes, plastics, and pharmaceutical products, and cleaning and sanitizing products
Food manufacturers for food processing, such as curing olives, removing vegetable skins, canning foods, and more
Furniture manufacturing for finishing wood with a bleaching process to convert raw wood to a more refined product
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in producing a variety of products such as aspirin, blood thinners, high cholesterol drugs, and more
Pulp and paper manufacturers to help process cellulose, remove ink from recycled paper, and treat the water used in manufacturing paper
Petroleum refiners in removing mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide during the petroleum process
Textile manufacturers in mercerizing cotton
Soap and detergent manufacturers for the saponification of tallow and coconut-oil fatty acids, and also in the formulation of alkaline detergents
Water treatment for treating acidic water to stabilize the water’s pH while removing heavy metals, such as lead and zinc

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