One of the interesting facts in this report series is that India as a nation has been a net exporter of caustic soda for the last three years and produced more than it consumed. That national picture however does not reflect a real, persistent deficit at the regional level \u2014 Eastern India, which has the largest alumina refining capacity, is structurally deficient in the production of caustic soda, with reliance on imports from Japan and the ASEAN nations, as caustic soda flakes (as opposed to liquid lye, which is primarily water) are more difficult to ship from the western manufacturing belt. It’s the regional mismatch that’s the opportunity for an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n