Circular salt, for sustainable winter road maintenance

Important results from the project

The project investigated the possibilities of using circular salt for winter road maintenance. Tests were carried out in all planned areas of use. The results show that the necessary adaptations of equipment and logistics are manageable and that the concept works in practice. Although full-scale verification over several winter seasons could not be carried out, the project has produced a valuable knowledge base on technology, logistics and implementation requirements.

Expected long term effects

The project has created the conditions for introducing circular salt in Swedish winter road maintenance. The results can contribute to the development of eligibility requirements and regulations that reduce the CO2 footprint, strengthen security of supply. Tessenderlo´s investments in Örnsköldsvik create the conditions for long-term Swedish production of circular road salt, while strengthening the region´s role as a test and demonstration arena for sustainable solutions.

Approach and implementation

The project carried out practical tests with circular salt in the Swedish Transport Administration´s operating area of Örnsköldsvik. The salt was used both for spreading wet salt and for manufacturing salt solution. In parallel, technical adaptations, logistics, environmental aspects and conditions in regulations and requirements were evaluated. The project was carried out in collaboration between machine manufacturers, salt producers, contractors and the Swedish Transport Administration.