Sodium carbonate, or natron to the Egyptians, has been known since the earliest time. Until the middle of the 19th century, it was extracted from the ashes of various plants, giving its present-day name 'Soda Ash'.

Basic chemical properties

• Alkalinity for the neutralization of acids
• Solubility
• Flux to lower the melting temperature of sand for the glass

Physical properties

• Size of crystal : compacted, light, dense
• Other natural forms : trona,...

Industrial properties

• Granulometry
• Flowing properties
• Free flowing density
• Whiteness