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What Role Do Caustic Soda Play in the manufacture of Pulp and Paper

June 08, 2021

Pulp and paper manufacturing brings countless benefits to local economies, communities, and forests, especially in rural areas. But, most of these pulp and paper companies wouldn't be able to carry out their clean manufacturing processes without the help of caustic soda flakes suppliers.

Sodium hydroxide, also famous as caustic soda in UAE, is one of the most vital chemical compounds in pulp and paper manufacturing processes. This material plays an indispensable role in the Kraft process or the dough preparation process. It's used to create White Liquor, a highly alkaline solution containing liquid soda and sodium sulfide. 

How Caustic Soda is Created to be Used in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes

In the commercial sector, Sodium hydroxide or caustic soda is produced using two basic methods – 

  • Electrolytic Cells 
  • Chemical Processes

Most caustic soda used in pulp and paper manufacturing processes is produced from electrolytic cells. Top caustic soda manufacturers prefer this method as it's faster and more cost-effective. Electrolytic cells come in three types - membrane, diaphragm, and mercury. 

Chemical processes to manufacture caustic soda involve the mixture of Hydrated Lime (Ca[OH]2) and Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3). Those two compounds combine to create calcium carbonate by-products (CaCO3) and sodium hydroxide (Na-OH). Low-scale caustic soda flakes suppliers often use this method of manufacturing as it's relatively uncomplicated. 

How Caustic Soda is Used in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes

Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (Na-OH) is one of the key building blocks of basic chemical processes. It has been used in various applications for many decades. That's why caustic soda manufacturers are viewed as essential pillars of the modern global economy. 

Some of the industries where sodium hydroxide (Na-OH) is frequently used include – 

  • Chemical Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing Cleaning Products
  • Manufacturing Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • Manufacturing Cellulose Films 
  • Cotton Textile Process
  • Water Treatment

Of all these applications, the use of sodium hydroxide (Na-OH) in the pulp and paper manufacturing industry is the most prevalent. Apart from the cooking and processing of Kraft pulps, caustic soda in UAE is also used to - 

  • Extract Lignin During Pulp Bleaching Sequences
  • On-Site Manufacture of Sodium Hypochlorite

The use of caustic soda is vital for the extraction stages. Usually, pulp bleaching procedures involve bleaching sequences where impurities/coloured materials in the pulp are either converted to alkali-soluble forms or permanently oxidized. Then comes the extraction sequences. 

During these sequences, all the impurities in the pulp are removed. Top caustic soda manufacturers always supply high quantities of sodium hydroxide (Na-OH) to ensure these extraction stages go just as planned. 

The Overriding Importance of Caustic Soda in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes

The leading caustic soda flakes suppliers of the world play some part in pretty much all chemical pulping processes in the world. The caustic soda that they supply also plays a vital role in acid sodium sulfite pulping processes. These processes are critical for softening or swelling wood before converting it into mechanical pulps.

Sending wood for water treatment is also impossible without caustic soda in Dubai. Caustic soda is also vital for scrubbing off-gases on wood pieces sent to the paper mills. Overall, in the most important pulping processes, sodium hydroxide plays an indispensable role. 

The Economic Benefits of Using Caustic Soda in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes

The leading caustic soda flakes suppliers send sodium hydroxide in the form of solid flakes all across the globe. Their reach extends to various industries, including – textile manufacturing, soap and detergent manufacturing, alumina refineries, and of course, the pulp and paper industries. 

The best caustic soda manufacturers know of their importance in the pulp and paper industry, so they always provide caustic soda flakes that are free from visible impurities, foreign matter, dirt, etc. They also make sure that their caustic soda flakes are always easily available for buyers.

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