A lye is a liquid obtained by leaching ashes (containing largely potassium carbonate or "potash"), or a strong alkali which is highly soluble in water producing caustic basic solutions. "Lye" is commonly the alternative name of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or historically potassium hydroxide (KOH).Today, sodium hydroxide is commercially manufactured using a membrane cell chloralkali process. It is one of the highest volume industrial chemicals with world wide annual production of approximately 40 million tons.[unreliable source?] It is supplied in various forms such as flakes, pellets, microbeads, coarse powder or a solution.