Soda Ash – Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, (also known as washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals, and in the monohydrate form as crystal carbonate) is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. Pure sodium carbonate is a white, odourless powder that is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). It has a strongly alkaline taste, and forms a moderately basic solution in water

Applications:

• Manufacture of glass, where it reduces the melting temperature of the sand used in glass formation and helps in the 'workability' or shaping of glass articles such as tableware and float glass
• Making soaps and detergents, where it is employed as a builder, or filler, to give a smoother surface
• Production of chemicals such as sodium silicate, sodium bicarbonate and percarbonate, and sodium chromate and dichromate
• Pulp and paper manufacture, water treatment, effluent treatment, metallurgy and drugs