Salt Processing Plant
Standard Salt’s salt processing plant is the only plant in Pakistan that uses a complete purification process, including a computer-controlled optical separator and a magnetic separator. Accurate weighing also sets us apart from other salt companies. Our methods are designed to increase efficiency and recovery while reducing waste. Our aim is to increase productivity and efficiency by ensuring high sorting capacity and consistent rock salt quality.
All production equipment is made of 316L stainless steel, which significantly reduces the risk of corrosion from salt. Several magnetic traps are installed in the process to separate and remove metal particles trapped in the rock salt. Our optical separators sort the particles in an automated process. Rock salt naturally occurs in various shades of grey and other colours. The optical separator separates pink salt from other colours and discards the rest. This advanced technology distinguishes pink salt from other Pakistani salt producers and makes it truly edible.
The entire production plant is monitored by CCTV cameras and each quality control center has cameras pointed at each location for surveillance and monitoring. In addition, all our products have internal batch and lot numbers that can be tracked by quality control managers and quality control personnel on the production line.
Salt processing steps:
- Mining
- Raw material storage
- Quality control
- Washing
- Drying
- Quality control process
- Crushing plant
- Sieving on plant with different Meshes
- Separation
- Metal detectors
- Packaging, wrapping
- Laboratory testing
- Storage in Warehousing and delivery
Salt mining
Salt mining in the Himalayas was carried out using the “chamber and pillar” method (also known as the “dome and pillar” method), a construction method invented by the British in the early 19th century. This method guaranteed mine safety. Only 50% of the salt was extracted from each “chamber” in the mine. The remaining 50% was stored in columns to preserve the structure of the chamber and the mountain.
Storage and transport of raw materials
Quality control
Since salt is an entirely natural product, it may contain stone fragments or impurities. We make sure we have selected stones that are free of defects before we start production.
Washing
Drying
Quality control
After drying, the salt is checked again for foreign substances. This is the second part of our control center.
Sieving on plant with different Meshes
The large pieces of salt are ground at the factory. We produce a custom-made sieve to meet customers’ mesh size requirements. We can supply any mesh size required.
Colour separation technology
We pride ourselves on being a company that is constantly evolving and innovating screen technologies and new processes. We have installed state-of-the-art colour sorting machines that separate particles and unwanted material from the salt to truly account for the quality of our product.
Separation
The salt is placed in a separator where foreign particles are filtered out. Quality controllers ensure that there are no dirty salt particles.
Metal detectors
We test the salt with a metal detector to make sure there are no foreign objects, including iron, present.
Packaging and sealing of bags
The bags are packed and sealed, after which they are opened and checked. The quality team is involved in this process and checks the packed finished product. Internally, we call this quality control.
Laboratory tests
The laboratory carries out quality assurance procedures and tests the product for various parameters such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, sulphate, moisture content, water solubility, particle size and iodine content to ensure that we send a quality product to our customers.
Storage and delivery
The salt is stored in our warehouse until final loading. Raw salt from the mines is efficiently bagged and transported directly to state-of-the-art salt processing plants in Pakistan. To meet strict food safety and quality principles, all our salt products are further processed and packed here using our patented technology, machinery and experienced and competent salt experts.