Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) is one of the most widely used industrial raw materials — in soap, detergent, paper, textile, water treatment and aluminum production. But when buyers start comparing offers, they quickly find three choices that change price and performance. Here is how to decide.
1. Flakes or pearls?
Flakes are the classic white flat chips. They are the standard choice for most soap, detergent and paper factories because they are the most common and cost-effective form. Pearls are uniform round beads with very low dust, which makes them preferred for automatic dosing systems, continuous production lines and workplaces where dust control matters. Chemically they are the same product; the difference is handling and flowability.
2. Which purity: 98%, 98.5% or 99%?
Most industrial applications work perfectly with standard 98%–98.5% caustic soda. Specify 99% min only when your process demands it, or when customers or regulators require a higher grade. Food grade (99%) is a separate quality with full food-contact documentation — use it only for beverage, food processing or edible refining, as it costs more.
3. How should it be packed?
Small buyers and sample orders usually take 25kg bags. Full containers are much more economical in 1000kg super sacks (bulk bags). One 20ft container typically holds around 25 metric tons. Always ask for moisture-sealed packaging — caustic soda absorbs moisture from the air and cakes easily.
4. What documents to request
For every shipment ask for: Mill Test Certificate / COA, MSDS, packing list, commercial invoice, and (where needed) FORM E or certificate of origin. Reputable suppliers send these with the goods, not after complaints.
5. How to order
Tell your supplier: the form (flakes/pearls), the grade (industrial/food), target purity, total tonnage, delivery port and required documents. We quote within 2 working hours and ship from major Chinese ports to Africa, South America, the Middle East and Central Asia.