Industrial salts and alkalis
Soda Ash Dense — High-Density Na₂CO₃ for Glass, Detergents & Chemicals
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Indicative price
USD 148–180 / MT
Indicative range, firm quote on request
Key parameters
Full product details
Product overview
Dense soda ash (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃) is the heavyweight workhorse of the global alkali trade. Produced by the Solvay process from salt and limestone, the dense grade is crystallised into coarse particles with bulk density around 1,000–1,100 kg/m³ — roughly twice that of light soda ash. This higher particle mass gives superior free-flowing behaviour in pneumatic conveyors, silos and batch weighers, which is why flat-glass float lines, detergent spray-drying towers and sodium-silicate reactors specify dense grade as their default alkali feed.
At 99.2% Na₂CO₃ minimum with iron capped at 30 ppm, our export grade meets the purity thresholds demanded by container-glass colour control and premium detergent formulations where iron discolours finished product. Chlorides stay below 0.2% and water-insoluble matter at 0.03% max — low enough for continuous-process glass batching where chloride volatilisation would corrode regenerator checkerwork over campaign life.
Typical buyers include float-glass manufacturers securing merchant alkali when captive Solvay units run at reduced rates, multinational detergent compounders building regional inventory ahead of seasonal demand peaks, sodium-silicate and sodium tripolyphosphate producers on long-term supply contracts, and chemical distributors serving MENA and South Asian industrial parks. HS code 2836.20. MOQ from 500 MT on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.
Full specification
| Na₂CO₃ (total alkali, dry basis) | 99.2% min |
| Na₂O equivalent | 58.1% min |
| Bulk density (loose) | 1,000–1,100 kg/m³ |
| Chlorides (as NaCl) | 0.2% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 30 ppm max |
| Sulphate (SO₄) | 0.03% max |
| Water insoluble matter | 0.03% max |
| Loss on ignition (at 800°C) | 0.8% max |
| Appearance | White granular crystals, free-flowing |
| HS code | 2836.20 |
Loading ports & logistics
Dense soda ash is a non-hazardous bulk solid, but moisture control at every transfer point is critical — surface hydration forms a hard crust that blocks pneumatic discharge lines and silo outlets. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver infrastructure.
Bulk vessel holds carry 1,000–5,000 MT on handysize and supramax coasters from Black Sea and Caspian loading terminals with dedicated soda-ash ship loaders. Holds must be clean, dry and free of acidic or oily residues. Trimming and hold ventilation before loading prevents moisture pockets that cause cargo caking during voyage.
Bagged export in 50 kg PP woven bags or 1,000 kg FIBC suits containerised parcels of 500–1,000 MT to inland glass plants and detergent factories without deep-water bulk berths. Bags are PE-lined and palletised for efficient container stowage; FIBC units include moisture-barrier liners for humid-climate discharge.
CFR and CIF parcels to South Asia (Mundra, Kandla, Chittagong), East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam) and Mediterranean industrial ports with bulk-cargo handling licences. FOB loading at exporter-nominated berth; CFR and CIF quotes include vessel freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 12–22 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Cargo ships as loose bulk in vessel holds, 50 kg PE-lined PP woven bags (palletised), or 1,000 kg FIBC with moisture barrier liner — no drummed form exists for merchant dense grade. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing Na₂CO₃ content, chloride, iron and insoluble matter results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS, commercial invoice, packing list or hold certificate, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Total alkali 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. Hold cleanliness certificate and moisture-content check are included with bulk shipments; bagged consignments receive lot-seal verification and bag-weight sampling. Non-hazardous cargo declaration is provided for all consignments — soda ash requires no IMDG classification but must be stowed away from acids and ammonium salts in shared holds.
FAQ
When should buyers choose dense soda ash over light grade?
Dense soda ash has coarser particles and roughly double the bulk density of light grade, so it flows freely through pneumatic conveyors and silos without bridging. Glass furnaces, detergent spray towers and chemical reactors that meter solid alkali by volume prefer dense grade because the same silo holds twice the Na₂CO₃ mass.
How is bulk soda ash shipped on international trade routes?
Dense soda ash moves in 1,000–5,000 MT bulk holds on handysize and supramax vessels, or in 50 kg PP bags and 1,000 kg FIBC for containerised parcels of 500–1,000 MT. Holds must be clean, dry and free of acidic residues; moisture ingress during voyage causes surface crusting that complicates pneumatic discharge.
What drives the indicative soda ash dense price per tonne?
FOB quotations reflect Solvay-process plant operating rates at Black Sea and Central Asian origins, natural-gas and limestone feedstock costs, vessel freight to your discharge port, and bagged versus bulk packaging. The USD 148–180/MT band covers current origin and packaging differentials; firm pricing is fixed at contract signing.
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