Sodium Carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na₂CO₃ and a molecular weight of 105.99. It is also known as soda ash, but it is classified as a salt, not a base. In international trade, it is referred to as soda or soda ash. Sodium carbonate is a white, odorless powder that is highly soluble in water, forming a strongly alkaline solution. It absorbs moisture and clumps in humid air, partially converting to sodium bicarbonate. It can be produced by methods such as the Solvay process, the ammonia-soda process, and the Leblanc process, or it can be refined from natural soda ash. It is an important inorganic chemical raw material, primarily used in the production of flat glass, glass products, and ceramic glazes. It is also widely used in household cleaning, acid neutralization, and food processing.