Industrial Uses

There are an estimated 14,000 commercial uses of salt. Many stem from the fact that salt provides the ionized form of two essential elements - sodium and chlorine - that are basic components of an array of materials, such as plastics, glass, synthetic rubber, cleansers, pesticides, paints, adhesives, metal coatings and chlor-alkali chemicals. The Salt Institute shares this list of some by-products of processing rock salt or brine that are commonly used in industry:

Metallic sodium
A key component in brass, bronze, case-hardened steel, and fabric dyes.

Chlorine
Used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers and synthetic rubber, as well as in refining crude oil. Chlorine is perhaps one of the most important elements in public health programs worldwide, as it kills deadly bacteria such as cholera in drinking water. Chlorine is also a key ingredient in household bleach and industrial water and sewage treatment agents.

Caustic soda
Critical to the manufacture of glass, pulp and paper, plastics, polyester and rayon, as well as soaps and detergents.

Sodium sulfate
Important in the pulp and paper process, as well as the making of dyes and ceramic glazes.

Sodium carbonate
Another important ingredient in glass, paper and rayon.

Hydrochloric acid
A cleanser of gas and oil wells, and part of the process for making synthetic rubber.

Sodium bicarbonate
Used to make neutralizing acids and glass, and to process leather and textiles.

Sodium nitrate
An ingredient in fertilizers and explosives.

Banner photo credit: Tony Williams

Fun Facts
Salt History
Industrial Uses
Household Uses