United States's Caustic Soda Market to See Continued Growth with CAGR of +5.9% through 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

Jun 09, 2025

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IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. - Sodium Hydroxide In Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye Or Liquid Soda) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The demand for caustic soda in aqueous solution is on the rise in the United States, leading to a continuous upward consumption trend. Market performance is forecasted to expand with a CAGR of +5.9% in volume and +7.4% in value from 2024 to 2035, signaling a positive outlook for the industry.

Driven by increasing demand for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +5.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 18M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +7.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

In 2024, consumption of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -3.9% to 9.9M tons, falling for the second year in a row after seven years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. Consumption of peaked at 10M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The revenue of the market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in the United States reduced slightly to $2.8B in 2024, almost unchanged from the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, recorded a resilient expansion. Consumption of peaked at $3B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in the United States stood at 15M tons in 2024, approximately equating 2023 figures. Overall, production showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 37%. Production of peaked at 15M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, production of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) rose significantly to $4.2B in 2024. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 47%. Production of peaked at $4.5B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2024, overseas purchases of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -7.1% to 1M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, imports showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 106%. Imports peaked at 1.4M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) declined dramatically to $253M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 94%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $446M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

Taiwan (Chinese) (316K tons), Japan (249K tons) and South Korea (133K tons) were the main suppliers of imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) to the United States, together accounting for 67% of total imports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) suppliers to the United States were Japan ($68M), Taiwan (Chinese) ($65M) and South Korea ($31M), with a combined 65% share of total imports. Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Belgium, with a CAGR of +9.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the average import price for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) amounted to $242 per ton, dropping by -9.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 94% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $663 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($368 per ton), while the price for Norway ($202 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, shipments abroad of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) increased by 8.6% to 5.7M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 91%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 6.3M tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) reduced rapidly to $1.2B in 2024. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 88%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $2B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

Brazil (2.8M tons) was the main destination for exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) from the United States, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) to Brazil exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Chile (331K tons), eightfold. Jamaica (328K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.7% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Brazil amounted to +4.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+0.7% per year) and Jamaica (-0.0% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($519M) remains the key foreign market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) exports from the United States, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($171M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Jamaica, with a 5.4% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Brazil amounted to +4.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (+2.7% per year) and Jamaica (+1.4% per year).

In 2024, the average export price for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) amounted to $208 per ton, waning by -27.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average export price increased by 91%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $543 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($537 per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($171 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

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A Quick Overview of Market Performance

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Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

The Largest Destinations for Exports

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles