KORKİMYA supplies three distinct products: liquid sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) at minimum 46%, liquid potassium hydroxide (KOH) at minimum 48%, and solid white flake/pellet potassium hydroxide at minimum 90%. On the sodium hydroxide side there is no solid grade in the catalogue, only liquid. A 25 kg PE bag applies only to KOH 90% flake. The right choice depends on the physical form your line runs and the end use.

Why liquid caustic can degrade after 2 months: the metal packaging trap

Technical sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) has a shelf life of only 2 months from the production date in metal packaging. The same product reaches 12 months in polyethylene or non-metal packaging, or when it has no contact with metals during storage. The difference comes from the chemical interaction that builds up on sustained contact between caustic and a metal surface. A plant planning to hold liquid caustic in a metal drum or steel container for an extended period needs to fold that 2-month window into its order and consumption plan. Using a PE-lined IBC or a rubber-lined rail tank car preserves the 12-month shelf life.

All three products fall under dangerous goods transport: sodium hydroxide UN 1824, packing group 2; KOH 48% UN 1814, packing group II; KOH 90% UN 1813, packing group II. Sodium hydroxide and KOH 48% are stored in corrosion-resistant containers (PE or stainless steel). KOH 48% must be protected from freezing and from atmospheric CO2. KOH 90% is kept in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and CO2.

Sodium hydroxide is liquid: there is no solid caustic in this catalogue

Buyers often search using form words such as "liquid caustic", "caustic beads" or "caustic powder". The KORKİMYA technical sodium hydroxide product is liquid: its appearance is a colourless or coloured liquid, and a crystallised sediment is permitted to form. Solid sodium hydroxide (beads, flakes, pellets or a 25 kg bag of caustic powder) does not exist in this catalogue. A buyer who needs a solid grade should state that clearly in the enquiry; otherwise the quote is prepared against the liquid grade.

Inorganic ChemicalsTECHNICAL SODIUM HYDROXIDELiquid sodium hydroxide min 46%, CAS 1310-73-2, UN 1824, packing group 2. Shelf life 2 months in metal packaging, 12 months in polyethylene or non-metal packaging. Medium-tonnage cubic containers on metal pallets and specially rubber-lined rail tank cars. Transported by road and rail. Request a quote from the product page.

Which grade fits which line: liquid soap and biodiesel want KOH, pulp and metallurgy want NaOH

Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide do not serve the same role; it comes down to which cation the line needs. KORKİMYA's sodium hydroxide use areas are the chemical and petrochemical industry, pulp and paper production, mineral fertiliser, oil refining, non-ferrous metallurgy and pulp bleaching. KOH 48% and KOH 90% share the same use list: liquid soap and detergent production, potassium salts, fertiliser, biodiesel transesterification, water treatment, pH adjustment and neutralisation. A plant formulating liquid soap or biodiesel turns to the potassium side; a pulp, paper or metallurgy line turns to the sodium side.

The purity gap between KOH 48% and KOH 90%

Both KOH grades carry the same CAS number (1310-58-3) and the same formula (KOH); the difference sits in form and purity level. The table below compares five impurity values that both grades' specifications state:

ImpurityKOH 48% (liquid)KOH 90% (flake/pellet)
Chloride (Cl)max 0.002%max 0.005%
Iron (Fe)max 0.0002%max 0.0002%
Sodium (Na)max 0.4%max 1.0%
Aluminium (Al)max 0.0005%max 0.001%
Lead (Pb)max 0.001%max 0.001%

KOH 48% carries tighter chloride and aluminium limits; KOH 90% allows a higher sodium limit. Iron and lead limits are equal across both grades. Shelf life also differs: KOH 48% holds for 12 months as a liquid, KOH 90% holds for 24 months as a solid flake/pellet.

Packaging and transport: IBC, 25 kg bag, big-bag, bulk tanker

Packaging follows the grade and the shipment volume. KOH 48% ships in a 1000 kg IBC or composite container, or in a bulk tanker on request; it can be transported by road and sea (UN 1814). KOH 90% is supplied in a 25 kg PE bag or a 1000 kg big-bag; it can be transported by road and sea (UN 1813). The 25 kg bag applies only to KOH 90% flake; it is not used for KOH 48% liquid or for liquid sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide ships in medium-tonnage cubic containers on metal pallets or in specially rubber-lined rail tank cars, by road and rail transport (UN 1824).

Inorganic ChemicalsPotassium Hydroxide (KOH) 48%Liquid KOH min 48%, CAS 1310-58-3, UN 1814, packing group II. 1000 kg IBC or composite container, bulk tanker on request. Stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from freezing and CO2, in PE or stainless steel containers. Shelf life 12 months. Request a quote from the product page.Inorganic ChemicalsPotassium Hydroxide (KOH) 90%Solid white flake/pellet KOH min 90%, CAS 1310-58-3, UN 1813, packing group II. 25 kg PE bag or 1000 kg big-bag. Stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and CO2. Shelf life 24 months. Request a quote from the product page.

Documentation and sample flow: what to clarify in your enquiry

  • State the physical form: liquid sodium hydroxide, liquid KOH 48%, or solid KOH 90% flake/pellet.
  • State the end use: pulp and paper, metallurgy, fertiliser, liquid soap, biodiesel, or water treatment.
  • Clarify the packaging preference: IBC, 25 kg PE bag, big-bag, bulk tanker, or rail tank car.
  • If contact with metal packaging is planned, fold the 2-month shelf life window for sodium hydroxide into your consumption plan.
  • Ask for the document set in the enquiry, and confirm that a certificate of analysis ships with every batch.
  • Request a current quote: pricing is given against the quantity and delivery mode at the date of the offer.
Is caustic soda supplied as a liquid or a solid?

The KORKİMYA technical sodium hydroxide product is liquid, minimum 46%. Its appearance is a colourless or coloured liquid, and a crystallised sediment is permitted to form. Solid sodium hydroxide (beads, flakes or pellets) is not in this catalogue.

Is potassium hydroxide available in a 25 kg package?

Yes, but only for the KOH 90% solid flake/pellet grade, supplied in a 25 kg PE bag or a 1000 kg big-bag. KOH 48% liquid grade ships in a 1000 kg IBC or composite container, or in a bulk tanker on request; it has no 25 kg bag option.

What is the difference between KOH 48 and KOH 90?

Both are the same substance, CAS 1310-58-3. The difference is form and concentration: KOH 48% is a colourless liquid solution (UN 1814), KOH 90% is a solid white flake/pellet (UN 1813). Chloride and aluminium limits are tighter in KOH 48%, while the sodium limit is higher in KOH 90%. Shelf life is 12 months for the liquid and 24 months for the solid.

What packaging does liquid caustic soda ship in?

Liquid sodium hydroxide ships in medium-tonnage cubic containers on metal pallets or in specially rubber-lined rail tank cars, using road and rail transport (UN 1824). Other packaging that preserves the integrity of the load during storage and transport is also permitted.

Why does the shelf life of sodium hydroxide depend on the packaging?

In metal packaging the caustic is in contact with the metal, and shelf life drops to 2 months. In polyethylene or non-metal packaging, or when there is no contact with metals during storage, shelf life extends to 12 months from the production date.

Which grade fits which production line?

Sodium hydroxide is used in the chemical and petrochemical industry, pulp and paper production, mineral fertiliser, oil refining, non-ferrous metallurgy and pulp bleaching lines. KOH 48% and KOH 90% are used in liquid soap and detergent, potassium salts, fertiliser, biodiesel transesterification, water treatment and pH adjustment lines.

Is a certificate of analysis and a document set provided?

None of the three products states a formal regulatory registration field. The scope of the document set (certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and other relevant documents) is clarified in the enquiry, and the document scope for each batch should be confirmed before ordering.