Caustic Soda Industry Report by Regional Category Spend, Price Analysis, Key Demand and Price Indicators, and Best Buying Practices

The global Caustic Soda market reached a value of about 79.95 MMT in 2021. The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 3% in the forecast period of 2022-2027 to reach a value of about 95.46 MMT by 2027.

The global Caustic Soda industry report gives a comprehensive analysis of the industry, including key segments, trends, drivers, restraints, the competitive landscape, and other essential market aspects. The caustic soda market is being driven by the broad application of the product in a range of processes, including the production of soap and detergents, pulp and paper, petroleum products, alumina, and chemical goods. In the industry report, the key demand indicator is the highest category spender by region—Asia Pacific.

Industry Definition and Segmentation

The inorganic chemical sodium hydroxide, popularly known as lye or caustic soda, is an acidic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at room temperature and can result in severe chemical burns. It is very water-soluble and quickly absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is a waxy, white substance in its purest form. The Caustic Soda industry report comprises segments by application (Organics, S&D&T, Alumina, Pulp and Paper, Inorganics, Water Treatment) and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, and South America).

The Asia Pacific Region is Driving the Growth of the Industry

The Asia Pacific region accounts for the largest share in the industry. China is the largest producer and consumer of the product as it is the largest pulp and paper producing country globally. In addition, India is a significant producer of caustic soda, driving the market growth. This is due to rising interest rates, increased consumer spending, the booming building and chemical industries, and government subsidies in the region.

The market is being primarily driven by the product's use as a critical ingredient in the production of soaps, cleansers, and detergents. Due to the product's properties, like its capacity to dissolve oils, grease, fats, and protein-based deposits, sodium hydroxide is commonly utilised in saponification, turning vegetable oils into soap. It's also used to make anionic surfactants, a key ingredient in most detergents and cleaning products. Detergents are divided into three categories based on ionic properties: anionic, cationic, and non-ionic. Household cleaning and gasoline additives are two of the most common uses for detergents.

However, the strict regulatory policies for handling the product due to its corrosive nature might hamper the market growth.

Best Procurement Practices

The global Caustic Soda industry report by Procurement Resource gives an in-depth analysis of the best buying practices followed by major global Caustic Soda regions, such as engagement models, contract terms, and buyer and supplier negotiation levers.

Category Management Studies

The electrolytic chloralkali method creates sodium hydroxide in a 50 percent solution for industrial use. In this procedure, chlorine gas is also produced. The evaporation of water yields solid sodium hydroxide from this solution. The most frequent forms of solid sodium hydroxide are flakes, prills, and cast blocks. The sodium hydroxide was made by combining sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxide in a metathesis reaction that takes advantage of the fact that sodium hydroxide is soluble while calcium carbonate is not. This was referred to as causticising. This technique was overtaken later by the Solvay process, superseded by the chloralkali process, which is still in use today. Pure sodium metal is also combined with water to make sodium hydroxide. Hydrogen gas and heat are produced as byproducts, frequently resulting in a flame. This reaction is often employed in academic settings to demonstrate the reactivity of alkali metals; however, it is not practically feasible because sodium metal is usually isolated by the reduction or electrolysis of sodium compounds such as sodium hydroxide.

Wide Range of Applications, Further Driving the Procurement of Caustic Soda

Due to its solid alkaline properties, the industry is being propelled by the increasing application of the inorganic compound in various end-user segments. Caustic soda is used in multiple processes, including the production of soap and detergents, pulp and paper, petroleum products, alumina, and chemical goods. The fact that caustic soda has such a broad application base is the key driver of the global caustic soda market. Water treatment, textiles, food, glass production, metal processing, mining, and other uses are among the others. The chemical sector is the largest consumer of caustic soda globally. Due to its sodium-based chemistry, it is added to final end-use products to deliver sodium. As a result, it is used to manufacture silicates, silicas etc., boosting the industry's expansion.

The regional markets for the industry can be divided into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific.

Key Industry Players Mentioned in the Caustic Soda Industry Report

• Occidental Chemical Corporation
• Olin Corporation
• Formosa Plastics Corporation
• The Dow Chemical Company
• BASF SE

Market Landscape

Companies are substantially investing in the growth of market production capacity and the adoption of new technologies. The cost of the manufacturing process is greatly determined by energy use. While caustic soda companies increase production capacity to meet rising demand, the global caustic soda market is growing. These companies are using product launches, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive in the market.

Key Initiatives by Companies

• INOVYN declared its intention to undertake a substantial expansion project at Rafnes Site, Norway, in April 2019. The project expansion includes a 35-kilometric-ton-per-annum membrane ECU capacity of caustic soda to be supplied to Scandinavian customers.
• Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. announced intentions to raise its caustic soda production capacity by 390,000 mt/yr in January 2021. Construction on the project is planned to be finished by 2023.