A method is provided for the use of borates in the recausticization of alkali-containing liquors such as those produced in the chemical and semi-chemical pulping of wood and in the oxidation and bleaching of wood pulp. Sodium hydroxide is regenerated from sodium carbonate-containing smelts in such pulp processes by autocausticization through the addition of limited amounts of borate. Autocausticization may be carried out at boron to carbonate molar ratios below 2:1 and at sodium to boron molar ratios exceeding 3:1, resulting in high reaction efficiency. Partial autocausticization using borate may also be combined with conventional lime recausticization for the regeneration of sodium hydroxide from sodium carbonate-containing smelts.