K.A.Steel consumes and distributes approximately 400,000 dry short tons of caustic soda and produces upwards of 30 million gallons of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) per year. We also supply hydrochloric acid and other chlorine derivatives. For a complete list, contact Customer Service.
Half of the sodium hydroxide, or caustic soda, supply in the United States is used by the chemical processing industry as a reactant and intermediate in a variety of processes.
The pulp and paper industry uses caustic soda in the pulping and bleaching process as well as de-inking and water treatment at pulp mills.
Caustic soda is also used in petroleum production and refining, alumina extraction, and the production of rayon and cellophane, soap, and textiles.
KA Steel Chemicals is at 160 million in sales.
Sodium hypochlorite is commonly known as household bleach. In stronger concentrations, it is used for bleaching paper, pulp and textiles. It is used as an intermediate in the manufacturing of organic chemicals, in water purification, in medicine, in fungicides, in swimming pool disinfectants, as a reagent, and as a germicide.
Muriatic or hydrochloric acid has a wide range of uses. The acid is used by chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers as a reactant to form chlorides and hydrochlorides and as a means of pH control in chemical processing. The food industry uses acid in food production with wide usage in high fructose corn syrup production. Metal producers use the acid to pickle and clean steel, and petroleum producers use it to acidize oil wells and improve oil flow into well casings.