We all know that salt is used in food as a flavour enhancer, but did you know it is actually one of the most widely used substances on earth, with thousands of direct and indirect uses?
It is an essential element in manufacturing processes that impact our daily lives, including the production of glass, paper, paints, aluminium and pvc. Salt is also at the forefront of the energy transition as a critical mineral in the development of emerging clean technologies, including solar panels and battery systems.
Solar Panels: Salt is a crucial component in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems, where it is used as a heat transfer and energy storage medium to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar power generation.
Electric Car Batteries: Salt is the key ingredient in a new type of rechargeable battery with four times the energy storage capacity of lithium, known as Sodium-Ion batteries. The battery is low-cost and more environmentally friendly than existing options.
Paper: Salt is used in making paper to make the fibres stick together better, improving the paper's quality and production process.
Ceramics and Glazes: In ceramics, salt is used to create special glaze effects. When it's added to a hot kiln, it transforms into a unique textured finish on the pottery.
Water Treatment: Salt is used in water softeners to replace hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. This makes water better for everyday use and prevents pipe and appliance damage.
PVC: Salt is used to make the building blocks for PVC, a material used in products such as pipes, cables, and vinyl flooring.
Glass: Salt is used in glass production to lower the melting point of silica, making it easier to work with. This helps to create transparent and uniform glass products, facilitating the shaping and moulding of glass items such as bottles, windows, and glassware.
In simple terms, if you look around your kitchen, almost everything you can touch in some way has been supplied by salt production.
Salt is an incredibly versatile commodity integral to the success of so many industries, and it’s why the demand for the commodity continues to grow, right around the world.