Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
daefa893-e681-4fb9-b3e9-5fd3cf358b9d
Materials
Associated ID
c5689d7d-f2ca-446c-92c3-f78b402c3669
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a fundamental industrial chemical with wide-ranging applications across industrial, pharmaceutical, and consumer sectors. This dataset models NaOH as a pure substance and covers the consumption of main raw and auxiliary materials, energy inputs, atmospheric emissions, and waste generated during its production. The system boundary excludes infrastructure, such as the manufacturing of process equipment and the construction of production facilities. The life cycle inventory is compiled from multiple data sources. Chlorine and hydrogen are co-products of this process. Allocation follows the method specified in the relevant PCR (Eurochlor, 2022): physical allocation based on stoichiometry is applied to raw salt, and chlorine emissions are allocated solely to the chlorine process. Electricity and steam All other inputs and outputs are allocated by mass to all co-products. The production via the ion-exchange membrane process comprises the following main stages: salt dissolution, primary purification, secondary purification, electrolysis, and dechlorination of the depleted brine.
Activity Description
The production via the ion-exchange membrane process comprises the following main stages: salt dissolution, primary purification, secondary purification, electrolysis, and dechlorination of the depleted brine.
Process Description
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH, CAS: 1310-73-2), commonly known as caustic soda, is a highly corrosive strong base. It is extremely soluble in water and appears as a white solid in pure form or as a clear, colorless solution when dissolved. As a fundamental industrial chemical, sodium hydroxide is widely used in the chemical, pulp and paper, petroleum, and textile industries.
Time period
2014
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Raw salt is heated after dissolving and primary/secondary purification, then fed into an ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer. Inside the cell, sodium ions selectively pass through the ion membrane; chlorine (Cl₂) is generated at the anode, while water reacts at the cathode to produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻) and hydrogen gas (H₂). The OH⁻ combines with sodium ions migrating from the anode compartment to form sodium hydroxide.