Chemical production is a major market for salt. Electrolysis is used to break sodium chloride into its component ions and to make chlorine , caustic soda, sodium chlorite and soda chlorate , for example. Ninety-five percent of salt used by the chemical industry is in the manufacture of chorine and caustic soda. Chlorine has many uses , including keeping drinking water safe . Chlorine is an effective disinfectant and bleach.
Caustic soda is used in pulp processing, and to make cellulose chemicals and their derivatives.
Other chemicals manufactured from salt are metallic sodium and sodium chlorate. Soda ash is now obtained naturally from trona mines. For further information you may wish to visit the Chemical Industry Home Page , the Chlorine Chemistry Council , Chlorine Institute and Canadian Chlorine Coordinating Committee . European chemical production can be tracked online. Note our disclaimer .