Caustic Soda

Caustic soda is used in pulp production. It can dissolve the lignin in wood, separate out the cellulose, and produce high-quality paper.

Caustic soda is used as a desizing agent, scouring agent, and mercerizing agent for cotton fabrics. It removes grease and wax from the fiber surface, enhances fabric luster, and improves dyeing properties.

Caustic soda is used as a basic raw material in the production of chemicals such as borax, sodium cyanide, formic acid, oxalic acid, phenol, soap, and synthetic detergents.

Caustic soda removes acidic impurities and sulfides from petroleum products, improving oil quality, and is also used in oilfield drilling muds.

Caustic soda is used in the digestion of bauxite for alumina production, as well as in the surface treatment and electroplating cleaning of metals such as zinc and copper.

Caustic soda is used to neutralize acidic wastewater and adjust pH levels, as well as to precipitate heavy metal ions such as lead and cadmium, thereby meeting environmental discharge standards.

Food-grade caustic soda is used as an acid neutralizer and as a peeling agent for fruits such as citrus and peaches. It is also used in olive debittering and cocoa processing.‌‌‌‌

Strong cleaning agents contain caustic soda as an active ingredient, which can break down grease and stubborn stains. It is used for unclogging drains and cleaning ovens and stovetops.

Sodium hydroxide is not employed as a direct active ingredient in cosmetic formulations. Instead, it serves as a saponification agent, reacting with fatty acids through neutralization to produce soap bases (surfactants). This process is mainly utilized in cleansing products, including soap-based facial cleansers. Following the completion of the reaction, sodium hydroxide is no longer present in its free form.

Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is not used as a direct therapeutic agent. In the pharmaceutical and medical fields, it is mainly employed as a pharmaceutical excipient (pH regulator), laboratory reagent, instrument disinfectant, and as a topical cauterizing agent for specific skin lesions. Oral administration is strictly prohibited, and direct contact with healthy tissues must be avoided.

● Gas drying: Utilizes strong hygroscopicity to dry neutral or alkaline gases such as hydrogen and ammonia; not suitable for acidic gases.
● Absorption & purification: Absorbs small amounts of CO2 and moisture, or removes acidic impurities from gas streams.
● Chemical analysis: Used to prepare standard alkaline solutions; serves as a neutralizing agent, precipitant, chromogenic reagent, and catalyst.