【Frontiers of HaiChuan Chemical Technology】The salt remaining after seawater purification is reused to manufacture building materials

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The salt remaining after seawater purification is now being reused to manufacture building materials. In Spain, desalination plants are reusing what used to be waste – the salt left over after seawater purification is now utilized in the production of building materials. After fresh water is extracted for drinking and irrigation, the remaining saltwater is processed and dried, then mixed to produce products such as bricks, tiles, and cement blocks. This approach addresses two challenges simultaneously: reducing the environmental impact of saltwater discharge into the ocean, and decreasing the industry’s demand for mineral salts. By incorporating salt into building materials, manufacturers can produce durable products while reducing resource extraction and waste disposal. In coastal areas, desalination is crucial for water supply, and this innovation converts by-products into valuable commodities. Since the salt is processed near its place of production, it also reduces transportation emissions. Backed by researchers, environmental organizations, and the construction industry, this initiative has become a model for circular economy practices in water-scarce areas. Spain’s reuse of by-products from seawater desalination demonstrates how sustainable thinking can turn waste into opportunities that benefit both the environment and the economy.