Applications

Quiet, ubiquitous, essential.

From the wash drum at home to the float-glass line and the viscose plant, sodium sulphate underpins processes that millions of people depend on every day.

70–80% of demand

Detergents

The largest application, where sodium sulphate accounts for 25 to 40 per cent of a typical powder formulation.

Soluble filler that helps the active ingredients dissolve and dose correctly.
Flow agent and anti-caking aid — protecting product quality during storage.
Lowers water surface tension, easing detergency.
Increases ionic strength, helping dissolve soil and active surfactants.
Mild alkalinity contributes to removing fats and acidic soils.
Highly biodegradable — supporting the environmental profile of formulations.

A refining agent

Glass

A multi-purpose additive used as a source of sodium, a descumming agent and a fining agent that produces stronger, defect-free glass.

Source of sodium (flux agent) that helps reduce the fuel demand of melting.
Prevents slug-foam from raw-material impurities through a wetting action above 870 °C.
Releases large bubbles above 1450 °C that sweep smaller bubbles from the melt, eliminating weakness.
Yields glass with greater resistance and a higher softening point.

Process input

Fibres, dyeing & pulp

Sodium sulphate is both produced by and consumed within fibre and paper value chains.

Co-product of viscose and modal fibre manufacture — recovered at consistent purity.
In textile dyeing, fixes and standardises the colour intensity of dyes and inks.
Assists the fixing of mineral salts to leather in tanning.
In pulp and paper, used historically as a make-up chemical in the Kraft process.

Beyond the main markets

Other industrial uses.

Chemical industry: Saline reaction medium, desiccant in organic media, production of potassium sulphate via the Glaserite process, and membrane manufacture.
Food & feed: Acidity regulator, carrier and feed supplement (where permitted).
Pharma: Active in formulations including mild laxatives and nutritional supplements.
Energy & heat: Thermal storage of solar heat, improvement of coal combustion and ash collection.
Trace uses: Anti-caking in table salt at low inclusion rates, and many specialist processes.