Michigan Potash Announces New Food-Grade Salt Business in the Heart of the Midwest

The Michigan Potash & Salt Co. (Michigan Salt) today announced the launch of its new salt business, which will produce 1 million tons of food-quality salt, strategically located within a high-demand area the United States.

Salt is a natural co-product of the company’s potash crop nutrient business. The Michigan Salt facility will be the nation’s largest evaporative salt plant, and newest and lowest-cost salt producer. It will produce premium food-grade, and low sodium salt products, to serve the diverse needs of American consumers, ensuring consistency and purity across food additives and water conditioning, while also supporting critical infrastructure needs like winter road safety and industrial manufacturing. High grade consumer salt prices have outpaced inflation for over two decades as a result of limited supply choice, and aging facilities. The average age of existing evaporative salt plants in the United States is over 100 years.

The United States experienced a shortage of de-icing salt this year because of aging salt facilities and cold weather, putting roads and drivers at risk. The situation prompted a direct address by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, to ensure that alternatives are available to keep drivers safe.

The United States is the world’s largest purchaser of salt, and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States imports 25% of its salt needs, primarily from Canada and Chile.

Salt production at the Evart facility will help meet the high demand for salt across the country and especially in the hard-water region of the Midwest, where this product will help homeowners and municipalities affordably soften their water.

“From reducing ice on our roadways to seasoning our foods, salt plays a critical role in enhancing public safety and improving our quality of life,” said Ted Pagano, Michigan Potash founder and CEO. “The high-quality mineral from our new salt production facility will be an incredible option for residential, business, and government users to access food-grade salt, and deicing salt at affordable rates."

"The salt facility will initially produce 1 million tons of high-grade salt and includes a bagging facility; both which are expected to grow over time," Pagano said.

“We are proud to be the only state of the art, high-grade evaporative salt facility in the country that also produces critical potash fertilizer, allowing us to sustainably produce and distribute both nutrients in a cost-effective manner for the benefit of consumers,” Pagano said.

In January, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) provided the company a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $1.26 billion for the development of the technologically advanced and energy efficient potash and salt production facility.

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