CIECH maximizes production
and establishes strong private brand
Salt plant in Staßfurt
© Ciech
The CIECH Group expanded its production facilities in 2021 with the new salt plant, which is located directly next to the already existing soda factory. The investment amounted to more than € 140 million. The advanced and environmentally friendly salt plant is expected to achieve a production capacity of about 450 000 t as early as next year. Another CIECH Group plant in Janikowo/Poland, is already capable of producing 500 000 t of salt annually. This positions CIECH as one of the leading producers of evaporated salt in Europe.
The new salt plant in Staßfurt uses extremely energy-efficient MVR technology, in which water is vaporized by supplying pressurized steam. As a result, this production unit is the most modern in Europe, making it a low-emission source that relies on its own raw materials. The volume of waste leaving the plant is also reduced to a minimum.
In the growing market for salt tablets, CIECH has strengthened its position as a leading supplier, particularly in Germany, the largest sales market for these products. The growing demand results, among other things, from the increasing use of water treatment. Increasing use in the agricultural sector and the growing number of swimming pools in Europe also play a significant role. To meet these demands, CIECH relies on innovative technologies: tablet presses capable of pressing an impressive 180 000 salt tablets per hour, end-to-end automation and a first-class converting line. The salt tablets produced, made from the company’s own raw materials with a purity of 99.9 % sodium chloride, stand for the highest water quality and optimum plant protection. The company attaches particular importance to sustainability. This is underlined by the use of recyclable LDPE packaging as part of the company’s environmentally friendly strategy.
In spring 2023, the company launched its own brand on the German market with the AQUA PRO salt tablets brand. AQUA PRO focuses on quality and efficiency in water treatment solutions. CIECH actively supports its customers with a comprehensive marketing program that includes promotional materials, PR, direct marketing, and print and online advertising. In the future, the company plans to expand its German product portfolio to include specific products for the agricultural sector, in particular its own feed salt.
CIECH is also striving to increase its market presence in table salts. In May, a strategic partnership was announced with global group Cargill, which integrated CIECH’s table salt into its Europe-wide product portfolio. This move enriches Cargill’s offering of food ingredients and specialty salts in Europe through CIECH’s long-standing expertise in providing salt products and sodium reduction solutions.
Through continuous investment in innovative technologies and sustainable management, CIECH intends to consistently continue on its upward path in the salt industry. In doing so, the Group also takes advantage of the economically valuable location in the Saxony-Anhalt region and the resulting opportunities for a stable and attractive employer role. Close partnerships with business customers and a deep commitment to quality and sustainability form the foundation of the CIECH Group’s future strategy.
