What Qualifies as Industrial-Grade Salt?

When you hear the word salt, you probably think about the regular table salt. However, various salts are available on the market, each serving a different purpose. Similarly, industrial salt is a key raw material used across industries. It is used to maintain roads, purify water and support many manufacturing processes.  From chemical plants to water treatment facilities, industrial salt plays a major role. But what exactly is industrial salt, and what qualifies as industrial-grade salt? We will explore those topics further in this article. Let’s get started!

Defining Industrial-Grade Salt

To put it simply, industrial-grade salt is sodium chloride, produced for non-food use. While table salt is used for human consumption, it is also used in industrial applications, including chemical production, water treatment, deicing, and agriculture. The term “Industrial” refers to the use of the salt rather than its purity. In most cases, industrial salt contains at least 95% sodium chloride. Additionally, it contains trace minerals that don’t comply with food-grade regulations.

How Industrial Salt is Different from Table Salt

Usually, salt seems the same anywhere. It is a white crystalline substance with a salty taste and the same chemical formula. But what separates industrial salt from table salt is the processing methods, standards, regulations, and the uses to which it is put.

To be more precise,

Food-grade salt must comply with strict food and health regulations and adhere to food manufacturing protocols. After production, each batch is tested for heavy metals, contaminants, and safety. Regulatory bodies such as the FDA or EFSA set limits for impurities, and the package should meet hygiene standards. At the same time, industrial salt does not need to meet food safety standards, as it will not be used for human consumption. This doesn’t mean it is of poor quality; itis designed for a specific use.

Another major difference is its consistency and texture. Food salt has a fine, refined grain. In contrast, industrial salt is coarser or has a range of particle sizes, depending on its intended use.

Both types are important. They serve different purposes in different industries.

Common Industrial Salt Grades

Fine Salt

As its name suggests, it is the most flexible industrial salt, with small, even, free-flowing crystals that dissolve quickly. Sodium levels above 98% make it a preferred choice for chemical production, water treatment, and manufacturing processes. Due to its free-flowing nature, it prevents equipment blockages and enables machines to operate consistently.

Refined Free-Flow Salt

This is high-quality salt that undergoes additional processing to ensure no moisture or caking. Industries that require accurate dosing and long-term storage prefer refined, free-flowing salt. The anti-caking treatment helps the crystals separate even in humid environments.

This makes it the preferred choice for pharma, precise chemical processing and food-grade applications where purity and consistency are highly considered.

Over-size Salt

The salt crystals are larger and irregular in shape, as they are used for tasks that require a slow, steady dissolution rate. This grade is commonly seen in water softening systems where sustained release is important during regeneration cycles. Chemical plants also use coarse salt for brine preparation, as its slower dissolution rate ensures a more stable concentration. The larger crystal structure can handle mechanical handling much better than the finer-grade salts.

Vacuum Salt

Vacuum salt is the highest-grade purity salt in the industrial salt category. It is processed by evaporating seawater in controlled conditions. This results in fine, even crystals with fewer impurities. Pharma companies use vacuum salt to prevent even minor contamination, which can compromise product safety. It is primarily used in the food industry and laboratories where precision is important.

Purity Levels and Chemical Standards

Most of us assume that industrial salt is of poor quality. But it’s not always the same. Most industrial processes require high-purity salt. Most industrial salt contains more than 90% sodium chloride, and purity varies by application.

Application and the NaCl Purity Level:

• For deicing, the purity level should be around 95-98%
• Water softening requires 98-99% of purity
• Chemical manufacturing requires more than 99% purity
• Oil drilling fluids need 95-98% of NaCl purity

Some impurities may be present. Like:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sulfates
• Insoluble materials

An industrial salt should meet the NaCl purity and technical requirements set by the industry in which it is used.

Manufacturing Methods of Industrial Grade Salt

Industrial-grade salt can be produced in various ways. The physical and chemical properties depend on how it is produced. Common manufacturing methods are:

Rock Salt Mining

Rock salt is obtained from underground salt deposits using traditional mining methods. The salt deposits were formed millions of years ago from evaporated seas. The salt is drilled, broken, and crushed, then sorted by size. Rock salt contains more impurities than evaporated salt, but it is well-suited for heavy-duty applications.

The mined rock salt is commonly used for:

• Road deicing
• Construction
• Agriculture

Solar Evaporation

In the solar evaporation process, the salt is collected in salt pans or shallow ponds and allowed to evaporate under the sun. At higher temperatures, water evaporates, leaving the salt behind. It is an affordable and environmentally friendly method for producing salt. Solar salt is used in:

• Water softening
• Chemical processing
• Textile industries

Vacuum Evaporation

Vacuum evaporation is similar to solar evaporation. But it is done mechanically, under controlled conditions, to produce pure, fine salt crystals with almost no moisture.

It’s used in:

• Chemical manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical processing (non-consumable uses)
• High-spec industrial systems

Physical Characteristics

Chemistry doesn’t define industrial salt; its physical properties do.

Grain Size and Texture

Industrial salt can be fine, coarse, pelletized, or briquetted. The use of industrial salt defines its grain size.

• Coarse salt is commonly preferred for deicing.
• Fine salt is used in chemical processes due to its rapid dissolution.
• Pellets and briquettes are used for water softeners.

Moisture Content

Moisture content plays a key role in industrial salt usage. Excess moisture in industrial salt can lead to clumping, reduced flow, and damage to industrial equipment. Most industrial salts allow the moisture levels of 0.5% to 3%, depending on the salt usage.

Solubility

In industrial processes such as brine or chemical production, the salt must dissolve readily. Any insoluble material must be limited to prevent equipment clogging.

Industrial Applications

Industrial salt is used in various sectors, and the commonly used applications are:

• Deicing and Road Maintenance
• Water Treatment
• Chemical Manufacturing, like chlorine, caustic soda and soda ash
• Oil and Gas Industry
• Agriculture

Quality Control and Certifications

Industrial salt suppliers should follow strict quality and safety standards, especially when supplying large quantities.

Quality testing includes the following steps:

• Sodium chloride percentage analysis
• Moisture testing
• Insoluble matter measurement
• Particle size distribution

Most buyers request a COA report detailing the salt’s chemical composition and compliance data. Without proper testing and documentation, salt cannot be accepted as an industrial-grade material.

Environmental and Storage Considerations

Salt, when produced or used in large quantities, can cause environmental concerns.

For example:

• Road salt runoff can cause harm to the freshwater systems and plants nearby
• After the salt mining, the land must be restored
• Brine disposal needs to follow environmental guidelines

Storage plays an important role. Improper storage can reduce the quality and performance of the salt. It should be maintained:

• Dry
• Covered
• Protect from contaminants

Choosing the Right Bulk Salt Supplier for Industrial Grade Salt

Industrial processes require a consistent, reliable supply. A supplier who doesn’t meet the following points can cause operational disruptions.

If you need industrial-grade salt, consider the following points:

• Purity specifications
• Production method
• Testing certifications
• Logistics
• Consistent supply

Conclusion

To qualify as industrial-grade salt, it must meet the requirements for purpose, purity, processing, and performance. Industrial-grade salt is sodium chloride made and tested for non-food uses. The qualification depends on the chemical and physical standards set by the industries in which it is used. If you are looking for a high-quality industrial-grade salt, we can help! At Canada Salt Group Ltd, we provide salt solutions tailored to different industries to help them run their operations smoothly and efficiently. Contact us today for a free quote.