Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa — High-Purity Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa — High-Purity Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) for Industry
We supply 98–99% caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) flakes, low-dust pearls and ready-to-use 50% liquid to South Africa's mining, water treatment, chemical, pulp & paper and food processing sectors — delivered reliably to Durban, Cape Town, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay, with a Certificate of Analysis on every batch.
What Is Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH)?
Quick answer: Caustic soda is sodium hydroxide (NaOH, CAS 1310-73-2) — a colorless, odorless, highly reactive alkali that neutralizes acids to form salts and water. As a Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa, we provide it in three industrial forms: flakes (98 ± 1% NaOH), pearls/prills (99% min) and 50% liquid solution, every batch backed by a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Sodium hydroxide is one of the most widely used industrial alkalis in the world. Its strong alkalinity, rapid water solubility and powerful saponifying and neutralizing action make it indispensable across ore refining, wastewater treatment, soap and detergent production, pulp and paper manufacturing and industrial cleaning. With a reliable supply chain feeding South Africa's key industrial hubs — Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape — we deliver consistent quality, technical expertise and tailored grade selection to match the exact demands of each plant.
We are not a reseller of unverified stock. Our caustic soda is sourced directly from established producers, inspected against specification, and shipped under full documentation control — so your production line never faces a quality surprise at port clearance. Learn how the product is produced in our guide on how caustic soda is made, or explore the base material on our Caustic Soda (NaOH) product page.
Caustic Soda Forms & Grades We Supply in South Africa
Every process has an ideal physical form and grade of NaOH. As an experienced Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa, our local technical team helps buyers select the right specification for maximum efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.
Caustic Soda Flakes
- Highly soluble white solid flakes, easy to handle
- Ideal for soap, detergent, textile, chemical & paper industries
- 25 kg PP/PE bags with moisture-resistant inner liner
- Also in 1,000–1,250 kg jumbo bags for bulk users
- View Caustic Soda Flakes →
Caustic Soda Pearls (Prills)
- Low-dust spherical granules for automated dosing
- Precise measurement, enhanced workplace safety
- Suited to petrochemical, water treatment & mining
- 25 kg bags or 1,000 kg jumbo bags
- Higher purity grade — 99% minimum NaOH
Liquid Caustic Soda (50%)
- Ready-to-use 50% solution — no on-site dissolving
- Reduces handling risk, ideal for high-volume plants
- For mining, water treatment, chemical & pulp uses
- 200L HDPE drums, IBC totes or ISO tank containers
- View Liquid Caustic Soda 50% →
Available Grades by Application
| Grade | Typical Purity | Best-Suited Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Grade | 98–99% | Mining, refining, textiles, large-scale processing |
| Technical Grade | 96–98% | Detergent, cleaning, water treatment |
| Food Grade | ≥99% | Fruit/vegetable peeling, cocoa & food processing |
| High-Purity / Anhydrous | >99.5% | Fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, precision uses |
Not sure which grade fits your process? Compare options on our detailed caustic soda flakes & pearls guide, or send us your specification for a recommendation.
Applications of Caustic Soda Across South Africa
Understanding your process is central to how we operate. Below are the primary South African industries we serve, the precise role NaOH plays in each, the regions where demand concentrates, estimated national consumption, and the complementary chemicals that complete each process.
Mining & Mineral Processing
In Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Northern Cape, caustic soda is critical for ore refining, alumina extraction and pH regulation. In the Bayer process, NaOH converts bauxite into alumina for aluminium production, while pH control during gold and platinum flotation and effluent treatment ensures efficient extraction and compliance. Often paired with Soda Ash (Na₂CO₃) for pH conditioning. Estimated SA demand: 15,000–20,000 tons/year.
Water Treatment & Purification
Municipal water facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town rely on caustic soda to adjust pH and remove impurities, while industrial plants use NaOH to neutralize chemical effluents and precipitate heavy metals. Frequently used alongside Sodium Hypochlorite for disinfection. Estimated SA demand: 10,000–12,000 tons/year.
Chemical & Petrochemical Manufacturing
In Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay and Durban, caustic soda is essential for producing detergents, soaps, surfactants and polymers such as PVC and polyethylene. See its full role in chemical manufacturing. Pairs with surfactant feedstocks like LABSA and SLES. Estimated SA demand: 12,000–15,000 tons/year.
Pulp & Paper Industry
Pulping and bleaching in Gauteng and Mpumalanga depend on caustic soda to break down wood fibres and prepare paper, and to deink recycled paper. Read more on caustic soda in pulp & paper. Often used downstream with Hydrogen Peroxide for bleaching. Estimated SA demand: 5,000–6,000 tons/year.
Construction & Industrial Cleaning
Sodium hydroxide is used to produce sodium silicate for adhesives, cement additives and coatings, and for degreasing, pipeline cleaning and removal of industrial residues that keep machinery efficient and safe. Concentrated in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Estimated SA demand: 5,000–7,000 tons/year.
Food Processing & Agriculture
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, food-grade caustic soda sanitizes equipment in fish, meat and agricultural processing plants, and assists in fruit and vegetable peeling for commercial distribution. Estimated SA demand: 2,000–3,000 tons/year.
Industry, Region & Recommended Grade Matrix
| Industry | Role of Caustic Soda (NaOH) | Recommended Form | Key SA Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining & Minerals | Ore refining, Bayer process, flotation pH control | Flakes / Liquid 50% | Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape |
| Water Treatment | pH adjustment, heavy-metal & impurity removal | Pearls / Liquid 50% | Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town |
| Chemical & Petrochemical | Detergents, surfactants, PVC, sodium chemicals | Flakes / Liquid 50% | Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay, Durban |
| Pulp & Paper | Pulping, bleaching, deinking recycled paper | Liquid 50% / Flakes | Gauteng, Mpumalanga |
| Construction & Cleaning | Sodium silicate, degreasing, residue removal | Flakes / Pearls | Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg |
| Food Processing | Equipment sanitizing, fruit & vegetable peeling | Pearls (food grade) | KwaZulu-Natal, Western & Eastern Cape |
Caustic Soda Technical Specifications
Below are the verified specifications for our caustic soda flakes and pearls. A full Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) is supplied with every order and is available on request before ordering.
General Identity & Trade Data — Sodium Hydroxide
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | NaOH | Sodium hydroxide |
| CAS Number | 1310-73-2 | — |
| Molar Mass | ≈ 40.0 g/mol | — |
| Appearance | White solid (flakes/pearls); colorless liquid (50%) | Odorless, hygroscopic |
| pH (solution) | ≈ 13–14 | Strongly alkaline |
| Density (20 °C) | 2.13 g/cm³ | Solid form |
| Melting Point | 320–325 °C | — |
| Boiling Point | 1385–1390 °C | — |
| Solubility in Water | Highly soluble (exothermic) | Add NaOH to water, never the reverse |
| UN Number | UN 1823 (solid) / UN 1824 (solution) | IMDG Hazard Class 8 — Corrosive |
| HS Code | 2815.11 (solid) / 2815.12 (liquid) | Harmonized System |
| Shelf Life | Up to 24 months | Sealed, dry, cool storage |
Caustic Soda Flakes — Typical Analysis (98 ± 1% NaOH)
| Content | Test Result | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| NaOH | 98 ± 1 | %W |
| Na₂CO₃ | 0.43 | %W |
| NaCl | 0.0085 | %W |
| Na₂SO₄ | 0.0047 | %W |
| SiO₂ | 0.0019 | %W |
| Al₂O₃ | Max 3 | PPM |
| Fe | Max 10 | PPM |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | Max 2 | PPM |
| Insoluble in Water | 0 | %W |
| Flake Size | 0.3–1 | cm |
Caustic Soda Pearls — Properties & Specification (99% Min)
| Property / Item | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Purity (NaOH) | 99.0 Min | % |
| Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃) | 0.8 Max | % |
| Sodium Chloride (NaCl) | 0.05 Max | % |
| Fe₂O₃ | 50 Max | PPM |
| Melting Point | 320–325 | °C |
| Boiling Point | 1385–1390 | °C |
| Density at 20 °C | 2.13 | g/cm³ |
| Solution Rate (100 g / 100 ml, 25 °C) | 22 | s |
| Heat Capacity at 25 °C | 2.01 | J/g·K |
| Heat of Fusion at 15 °C | 167.5 | J/g |
| Standard Heat of Formation at 25 °C | 10.67 | kJ/g |
★ Certificate of Analysis (COA), TDS and SDS/MSDS supplied with every order. Verified chemical data referenced from PubChem — Sodium Hydroxide.
Why Choose Us as Your Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa
Large-volume procurement managers need more than a price list — they need a partner who guarantees batch consistency, absorbs logistics complexity and maintains supply continuity. Here is precisely what differentiates our offer as a Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa.
Packaging, Storage & Delivery Across South Africa
We ensure safe, reliable and timely delivery to industrial hubs and remote operations. All packaging is double-layer, palletized and shrink-wrapped, protecting against moisture and contamination, and labelled per UN and IMDG transport regulations. South African ports are managed by the Transnet National Ports Authority.
Bags & Jumbo Bags
- 25 kg double-layer PP/PE bags with moisture-resistant liner
- 1,000–1,250 kg FIBC jumbo bags for bulk users
- Palletized & stretch-wrapped for container stability
- ~22–24 MT per 20' FCL depending on packing
- Best for: tanneries, plants, distributors, mines
Drums, IBC & ISO Tanks
- 200L HDPE drums for medium-volume sites
- 1,000L IBC totes for automated dosing lines
- Up to 25 MT ISO tank containers for bulk supply
- Continuous-feed ready — no on-site dissolving
- Best for: water utilities, large chemical plants
Discharge Points
- Port of Durban — main hub for KZN & inland Gauteng
- Port of Cape Town — Western Cape clients
- Port of Saldanha Bay — bulk mining & heavy industry
- Richards Bay — petrochemical & heavy industry
Safe Handling & Storage Guidelines
Storage
Store in dry, ventilated, shaded areas. NaOH is hygroscopic — keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture uptake and carbonate formation. Sealed product holds spec for up to 24 months.
Segregation
Keep away from acids, reactive metals (aluminium, zinc, tin) and moisture, which can generate heat or flammable hydrogen gas. Store separately from incompatible chemicals.
Required PPE
Always use chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles and chemical-resistant clothing. Keep an emergency eyewash station within reach of any handling area.
Dilution Safety
Always add NaOH to water slowly — never pour water into NaOH. Dilution is strongly exothermic and can boil and splash violently if done in the wrong order.
Full Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and on-site safety training are provided. For GHS hazard classification, see PubChem — Sodium Hydroxide, and for sea-freight rules, the IMDG Code (IMO).
How to Order Caustic Soda — Inquiry to Delivery
Submit Your Inquiry
Contact us via our inquiry form, WhatsApp or info@causticsodaco.com. Tell us the form (flakes / pearls / liquid 50%), grade, quantity, destination port and application.
Receive a Formal Quote (24 Hours)
A bankable commercial offer with unit price (USD/MT), container value, payment terms, loading port and shipping schedule — ready for your import budget approval.
Confirm Order & Terms
We accept T/T wire transfer, Letter of Credit (L/C at sight) and D/P (Documents against Payment). Standard terms and long-term contract pricing for repeat buyers.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (Optional)
Arrange SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection at our warehouse before loading. Full report and CoA issued prior to balance payment.
Loading & Delivery to SA Ports
Container shipped to Durban, Cape Town, Saldanha Bay or Richards Bay. Full documentation — B/L, Packing List, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, SDS, CoA — issued electronically.
Tracking & After-Sale Support
Container and B/L reference shared for real-time tracking. Our team supports documentation, customs pre-clearance and repeat-order planning throughout transit.
Need Bulk Caustic Soda in South Africa?
Share your required form, grade, annual volume in MT, destination port and incoterm. Our team responds within 24 hours with a formal FOB / CIF / DDP price, lead time and a tailored logistics plan — from a Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa whose quality you can measure, batch by batch.
Speak With
Our Sales Team
We respond to all caustic soda and NaOH inquiries within 24 business hours — often much faster. For urgent supply needs or tender participation, WhatsApp is the fastest channel.
Include in Your Inquiry for a Fast Quote
FAQ — Caustic Soda Supplier in South Africa
What purity of caustic soda do you supply in South Africa?
We supply flakes at 98 ± 1% NaOH, pearls (prills) at 99% minimum and liquid caustic soda at 50% concentration. Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis confirming NaOH content, Na₂CO₃, NaCl, iron and insoluble matter.
Which South African ports do you deliver to?
We deliver to the Port of Durban (main chemical hub for KZN and inland Gauteng), the Port of Cape Town for the Western Cape, the Port of Saldanha Bay for bulk mining and heavy industry, and Richards Bay for petrochemical clients.
What is the HS code for caustic soda?
Solid caustic soda (flakes and pearls) is classified under HS Code 2815.11, and liquid caustic soda (aqueous solution) under HS Code 2815.12. The CAS number for sodium hydroxide is 1310-73-2. We prepare all export documentation using the correct classification for smooth clearance.
How is caustic soda packed and what is the shelf life?
Flakes and pearls are packed in 25 kg PP/PE bags with moisture-resistant liners or 1,000–1,250 kg jumbo bags; liquid 50% in 200L HDPE drums, 1,000L IBC totes or ISO tanks. All packaging is palletized and shrink-wrapped. Stored sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and acids, caustic soda maintains specification for up to 24 months.
What is the difference between flakes, pearls and liquid caustic soda?
Flakes are solid white flakes ideal for manual or automated dosing. Pearls (prills) are low-dust spherical granules for automated systems and precise, safer measurement. Liquid 50% is a ready-to-use solution for high-volume operations. See our flakes and liquid pages.
Do you supply caustic soda to the mining industry in South Africa?
Yes. Caustic soda is critical for ore refining, alumina extraction via the Bayer process, gold and platinum flotation pH control and effluent treatment across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Northern Cape. South African mining is estimated to consume 15,000–20,000 tons of caustic soda per year.
How should caustic soda be handled safely?
Always use PPE — gloves, goggles and chemical-resistant clothing — and store away from acids, reactive metals and moisture. When diluting, always add NaOH to water slowly — never pour water into NaOH, because the reaction is strongly exothermic. We provide a full SDS/MSDS with every order.
What documents come with each caustic soda shipment?
Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin. SGS or Bureau Veritas pre-shipment inspection is available on request.
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