Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hydroxide Supplier

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), commonly known as caustic soda or lye, is one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals in the world. As the workhorse strong base of industrial chemistry, it plays a foundational role in the manufacture of soap, paper, textiles, aluminum, and a vast range of other essential products. With more than 75 years of experience as a pioneering innovator, Alexander Chemical supplies top-quality Sodium Hydroxide in liquid and solid forms, backed by expert technical guidance and reliable bulk delivery services. Safety and compliance are our top priorities.

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Key Characteristics of Sodium Hydroxide

Chemical Properties

  • Sodium Hydroxide Formula: NaOH
  • Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly viscous liquid (typically 50% solution) or white solid pellets/flakes
  • Odor: Odorless
  • Solubility: Highly soluble in water (highly exothermic dissolution)
  • pH (solution): Strongly alkaline (pH 13–14)
  • Molecular Weight: 40.00 g/mol

Storage & Handling Requirements

  • Store in carbon steel, stainless steel, or HDPE tanks; keep tightly sealed
  • Keep away from acids, CO₂, moisture, and reactive metals (aluminum, zinc)
  • Always add NaOH to water slowly — never add water to concentrated NaOH

Sodium Hydroxide is a hazardous material. A strong caustic base — highly exothermic when dissolved in water or neutralized with acids. Severely corrosive to skin, eyes, and many metals. Contact with aluminum, zinc, and other reactive metals produces flammable hydrogen gas. Mishandling can lead to serious safety and environmental risks. Always rely on certified professionals for storage, handling, and transportation.

What are the Uses of Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium Hydroxide is the most broadly applied strong base in industry, essential wherever saponification, pulping, refining, pH adjustment, or chemical synthesis demands a powerful, cost-effective alkali.

Soap & Detergent Manufacturing

The most familiar application of sodium hydroxide is the saponification of fats and oils to produce bar soaps, detergents, and surfactants. NaOH reacts with fatty acids to produce hard sodium soaps — the basis of bar soap and many industrial cleaning products. It is also used in the production of synthetic detergents and surfactants.

Pulp & Paper

In the kraft (sulfate) pulping process — the dominant wood pulping method globally — sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide break down lignin and release cellulose fibers for papermaking. Sodium hydroxide is also used in paper bleaching, de-inking of recycled paper, and coating formulations.

Aluminum Refining (Bayer Process)

Sodium hydroxide is central to the Bayer process, in which bauxite ore is dissolved in hot concentrated NaOH solution to extract aluminum oxide (alumina), which is then reduced to produce aluminum metal. This process is the basis of virtually all primary aluminum production globally.

Water Treatment

Sodium hydroxide is widely used in municipal and industrial water treatment for pH adjustment, alkalinity addition, and softening. It is also used to neutralize acidic wastewater streams and in the regeneration of ion exchange resins.

Chemical Manufacturing

As a strong, cost-effective base, sodium hydroxide is a fundamental reagent in the production of bleach (sodium hypochlorite), sodium carbonate, pharmaceuticals, and a vast range of organic and inorganic chemicals. It is also used in textile mercerization — a treatment that improves the strength, luster, and dye uptake of cotton.

Other Industrial Applications

  • Food processing (pretzel and bagel glazing, olive curing, pH adjustment)
  • Petroleum refining
  • Textile mercerization
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Bulk Sodium Hydroxide Delivery & Support Services

The professionals at Alexander Chemical bring decades of experience and expertise to managing Sodium Hydroxide with precision and care. We supply and deliver to municipal utilities, industrial facilities, and specialty operations across the country.

What We Offer

  • Supplying and delivering Sodium Hydroxide in bulk tankers, totes, or drums tailored to your specific requirements
  • On-site technical support for optimal dosing and application
  • Regulatory compliance guidance and safety training
  • Regular tank inspections and maintenance recommendations
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A Brief History of Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide in the form of crude soda lye has been produced and used for thousands of years — ancient Egyptians and Romans leached plant ashes to obtain alkaline solutions for soap making and glass production. The Leblanc process, developed in 1791, was the first industrial method for producing soda ash, from which sodium hydroxide could be derived. The more efficient Solvay process, introduced in the 1860s, supplanted the Leblanc process. The modern chlor-alkali process — electrolysis of sodium chloride brine — emerged in the late 19th century and became the dominant production method, simultaneously producing chlorine and sodium hydroxide as co-products. Today, sodium hydroxide is one of the top ten most produced industrial chemicals globally, consumed in enormous quantities across virtually every sector of manufacturing.

Sodium Hydroxide Facts

  • Caustic Soda: Sodium hydroxide earned the nickname ‘caustic soda’ from its ability to chemically burn organic material — the same reaction responsible for saponification in soap making, just on a far more controlled scale.
  • The Slippery Sensation: The slippery feeling when dilute NaOH contacts skin is the beginning of saponification — the alkaline solution reacting with fatty acids on the skin’s surface. It is a sign to rinse immediately.
  • Pretzel Perfection: Traditional pretzels and some bagels are dipped in lye (NaOH) solution before baking, creating the characteristic dark, shiny crust through an accelerated Maillard reaction that no other treatment can replicate.
  • Kraft Pulping: The kraft pulping process, which uses sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to convert wood to paper pulp, produces approximately 80% of the world’s paper — making NaOH fundamental to global publishing, packaging, and tissue production.
  • Aluminum’s Essential Partner: Every ton of aluminum produced via the Bayer process requires significant quantities of sodium hydroxide — making NaOH indispensable to one of the world’s most important structural metals.

Frequently Asked Questions about NaOH

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a strong inorganic base produced primarily by the chlor-alkali electrolysis of sodium chloride brine. It is supplied as white solid pellets or flakes or as a clear aqueous solution (typically 50% concentration) and is one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals in the world.

Sodium hydroxide is most widely used in soap and detergent manufacturing, kraft pulp and paper production, aluminum refining (Bayer process), water treatment, and chemical manufacturing. It is also used in food processing, petroleum refining, textile mercerization, and the production of bleach and other sodium compounds.

Both are strong bases, but NaOH produces harder sodium soaps while KOH produces softer potassium soaps. NaOH is generally less expensive and used at larger industrial volumes. KOH is preferred where potassium content is beneficial — in agriculture, biodiesel production, and liquid soap manufacturing.

Yes. When dosed correctly, sodium hydroxide is safe and effective for pH adjustment, alkalinity addition, and other water treatment applications. It is one of the most widely used water treatment chemicals globally and is approved for use in drinking water applications.

Alexander Chemical delivers sodium hydroxide via bulk tankers, intermediate bulk containers (totes), and drums based on your volume and site requirements. All deliveries are handled through Circle Transport, our dedicated logistics partner.

Sodium hydroxide should be stored in carbon steel, stainless steel, or HDPE tanks, kept tightly sealed to prevent absorption of CO₂ and moisture. Keep away from acids and reactive metals. Alexander Chemical provides tank inspection and maintenance support as part of our delivery and compliance services.

Sodium hydroxide is used across virtually every major industrial sector including soap and detergent manufacturing, pulp and paper, aluminum production, water and wastewater treatment, chemical manufacturing, food processing, petroleum refining, textiles, and pharmaceutical production.

Alexander Chemical supplies bulk sodium hydroxide with nationwide delivery. Contact our team to discuss your volume requirements, delivery schedule, and pricing.

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