Halite is a mineral name for salt. Its chemical formula is NaCl. Pure halite is a colorless, soft, crystalline mineral, which is soluble in water. There are two major types of salt found in nature: rock salt and sea salt. Salt is commonly produced through the evaporation of seawater or mined from underground deposits.
Salt is used in the manufacture of a great bulk of everyday products, including soaps and detergents, medications, cosmetics, cell phones, protective suits for scuba diving, flat panels, digital cameras, etc. Salt is used as a raw material in the chlor-alkali industry, which produces caustic soda, chlorine and a slew of other products formed on the basis of these chemicals. Salt plays an essential role in numerous industries: metal processing, pharmaceuticals, oil/gas drilling, textile & dyeing, ceramics and pigment manufacture, to name but a few. Salt is also an essential nutrient and it is extensively used in cooking. Additionally, salt is utilized to soften hard water, feed animals and plants, and is also spread on icy roads during the winter.
During 2008-2011, the global salt production followed an upward trend, but in 2012 it witnessed a 2.1% y-o-y decrease and was estimated at around 280 million tonnes. China is ranked as the leading salt producer worldwide, accounting for nearly 26% (73 million tonnes) of the overall salt production volume. It is followed by the USA, Germany, India and Australia.
Salt: world mine production structure, by country, 2012
The global demand for salt is poised to grow by almost 3% annually during 2013-2016, pushing up prices for the product in many regions. The world salt production is predicted to surpass the 310 million tonnes mark in 2016.
More information on the salt market can be found in the report Salt Market Review.