Usage and Benefits
Chemical Industry
A large proportion of the world's salt is consumed by the chlor-alkali chemical plants for the production of soda ash, caustic soda and chlorine. Impurities in the salt must be removed to avoid damage to the machinery's membrane and to minimize environmental hazards. The salt purification process is costly, however the damage that can be caused by using inferior grade salt is even more so. High quality salt is a vital ingredient in this industry.
Deicing / Road Maintenance
Spreading machines distribute a thin layer of salt or brine before and/or during the winter frost or snow, essential for the safety of the public. Salt is the most common agent used for deicing in Europe and worldwide. This is due to the fact that it is largely accessible, cost efficient, easy to apply and highly efficient.
Water Softening
Granular salt and salt tablets are used in the process of lowering the levels of calcium and magnesium in water to purify it and to lower the negative effects of lime scale in domestic and industrial environments.
Human Consumption
Salt is an essential part of the human diet and a valuable commodity. Unrefined washed salt (cooking salt) and refined washed salt (table salt) are most commonly found in the market. In many countries, iodized salt is also consumed, which contains containing supplementary compounds to combat iodine deficiency and its consequential illnesses. Not only is salt used for seasoning and cooking, it is also used for food preservation and, when in moderation, is an indispensible constituent in our diet.
Animal Feed
Salt is a highly important nutritional ingredient in animals' diet and is often supplemented in the form of licking blocks. Salt licking blocks provide essential sodium and chloride, along with other nutrients, which are lacking in their plant based diets.
