Asia-Pacific Industrial Salt Demand is Soaring Rapidly.

The Asia-Pacific chemical market continue to form the epicentre for global growth in the chemical salt trade, which has been supplied by five big Pilbara operations for decades.

The salt is mostly used to produce chlorine and caustic soda for foods, paper, glass, PVC, dyes, rubber, paints and many other industrial products and processes.

A 20Mt Shortfall of Salt Supply is Predicted for 2027.

With 11Mtpa of bulk salt exports, Australia is the world’s largest exporter of industrial salt. Over the next decade, insatiable salt demand from East Asian markets such as China, Japan, Korea Republic and Taiwan is set to create a shortage almost double Australia’s current total supply.

Despite Australia’s vast competitive advantage, there are only a handful of new Australian projects seeking to cover this impending market shortfall.

Over 140 local operational workforce.

Leichhardt expects to create over 200 jobs during the construction phase of the Eramurra Solar Salt Project, with an additional 140+ local workforce once the facility is operational.

The Project’s advantageous proximity to Karratha means Leichhardt will prioritise local Karratha-based workers and local contracts for suppliers throughout both construction and operation phases.

Solar salt allows for sustainable and environmentally conscious production.

Produced by pumping seawater into evaporation ponds, nearly all the energy required to ‘harvest’ the salt is derived from sunlight and wind energy.

The Project’s evaporation ponds are designed to promote brine shrimp. Leichhardt is working with bird experts and universities to design the evaporation ponds to retain roosting and foraging areas for shorebirds (migratory and non-migratory) and other waterbirds.

The Project creates benefits for the local community.

Leichhardt is in close consultation with the City of Karratha to incorporate enhancements in the areas where operations are nearest to camping, recreational and boating facilities.