Caustic soda has many uses, including:
Water treatment
Caustic soda is used to purify water and increase its pH level. This reduces the amount of toxic metals that can dissolve into drinking water.
Food industry
Caustic soda is used in food preparation and processing, such as washing fruits and vegetables, producing caramel color, and processing chocolate and cocoa.
Aluminum production
Caustic soda is used as a dissolving agent in the energy-intensive process of refining aluminum from bauxite ore.
Soap and detergent manufacturing
Caustic soda is used to make cleansers and disinfectants, such as bleach. Caustic soda's ability to saponify fats and greases makes it useful for quick clean-up.
Textile manufacturing