Industrial salts and alkalis
Caustic Soda 99% NaOH — Flakes & Pearls for Alumina, Pulp & Soap
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Indicative price
USD 287–350 / MT
Indicative range, firm quote on request
Key parameters
Full product details
Product overview
Sodium hydroxide — caustic soda — is the highest-volume industrial alkali in global trade. Produced by membrane or diaphragm electrolysis of brine at integrated chlor-alkali complexes, solid 99% NaOH in flake or pearl form concentrates alkali strength for cost-efficient ocean freight while giving receivers flexibility to dissolve to any working concentration on site. Our export grade holds iron at 15 ppm and chlorides at 0.05% maximum, low enough for Bayer-process alumina digestion, kraft pulp bleaching sequences and continuous soap saponification lines where metal contamination discolours finished product.
White flake grade dissolves rapidly in open dissolving tanks and suits pulp mills, municipal water-treatment plants and textile mercerizing operations running batch caustic make-down. Pearl grade has lower surface area, generates less dust during pneumatic transfer and is preferred by alumina refineries, detergent compounders and biodiesel plants feeding automated dissolution systems with controlled feed rates.
Typical buyers include Bayer-process alumina refineries in India and the Middle East securing merchant caustic when captive chlor-alkali units run at reduced rates, kraft pulp mills on annual caustic supply contracts, oleochemical and soap manufacturers, petroleum refineries for crude desalting and neutralization, and chemical distributors supplying MENA industrial parks. Liquid 50% NaOH solution is available on request for buyers with dedicated stainless unloading infrastructure. HS code 2815.11. MOQ from 24 MT on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.
Full specification
| NaOH (sodium hydroxide) | 99% min |
| Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) | 0.5% max |
| Chlorides (NaCl) | 0.05% max |
| Iron (Fe₂O₃) | 15 ppm max |
| Sulphates (SO₄) | 0.005% max |
| Silica (SiO₂) | 10 ppm max |
| Appearance | White opaque flakes or uniform pearls |
| NaOH (liquid, on request) | 50% min solution |
| UN number | 1823 (solid); 1824 (solution) |
| HS code | 2815.11 (solid) |
Loading ports & logistics
Solid caustic soda is strongly hygroscopic and corrosive — moisture control and compatible handling equipment are mandatory at every transfer point. Standard carbon steel and aluminium fittings cannot receive this cargo without rapid corrosion failure.
25 kg PE-lined PP woven bags palletised into 20-foot containers hold approximately 24 MT net per unit and suit multi-modal routes to inland alumina refineries, pulp mills and detergent plants with covered warehouse discharge. Ideal for parcels of 24–500 MT assembled from multiple container units on FOB Black Sea or MENA origins.
1,000 kg UN-certified FIBC bulk bags with moisture-barrier liners move parcels of 100–3,000 MT on short-sea coaster routes to South Asian and Mediterranean ports with bulk-bag unloading equipment. Lower bag count per tonne reduces stevedoring cost versus 25 kg units on larger parcels.
Liquid 50% caustic soda ships in dedicated stainless ISO tank containers (21–24 MT net) for buyers with heated unloading bays and continuous-process dosing lines. FOB loading at exporter-nominated chemical berth; CFR and CIF quotes include tank freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 10–22 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Solid NaOH ships in 25 kg PE-lined PP woven bags (palletised and stretch-wrapped) or 1,000 kg UN-certified FIBC with moisture-barrier liner. Liquid grade ships in dedicated stainless ISO tanks with heating capability for cold-climate discharge. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing NaOH assay, carbonate, chloride and iron results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS with corrosive hazard classification, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.
NaOH content is confirmed by acidimetric titration against hydrochloric acid standard on the COA. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. Bag integrity and moisture-barrier seal checks are mandatory before container stuffing; we issue stowage and segregation documentation with the shipping instructions package. IMDG dangerous goods declaration and emergency response guide references are included for Class 8 corrosive carriage.
FAQ
When should buyers order caustic soda flakes versus pearls?
Flakes dissolve faster in open dissolving tanks and suit pulp mills and water-treatment plants running batch caustic make-down. Pearls have lower surface area, resist dusting during pneumatic transfer and are preferred by alumina refineries and detergent compounders feeding automated dissolution systems.
How is solid caustic soda shipped on export routes?
Solid NaOH moves in 25 kg PE-lined bags palletised into 20-foot containers (24 MT per unit) or 1,000 kg UN-certified FIBC bulk bags on coaster vessels. Liquid 50% caustic is available on request in dedicated stainless ISO tanks. IMDG Class 8 corrosive documentation is mandatory on every consignment.
What factors drive the indicative caustic soda price per tonne?
FOB quotations reflect membrane-cell versus mercury-cell origin, electricity cost at chlor-alkali plants, flake versus pearl solidification premium, and bag freight to your discharge port. The USD 287–350/MT band covers current form and origin differentials; firm pricing is fixed at contract signing.
Related products
- Potassium Hydroxide — caustic potash alkali for chloride-free fertilizer salts
- Hydrochloric Acid — co-product from chlor-alkali electrolysis circuits
- Sulfuric Acid — companion industrial acid for mining and chemical processing