The source
Where does Zechsal come from?
Zechsal is extracted at Tripscompagnie, a small town near Veendam. The mining of a unique salt layer from the Zechstein Sea started here in 1982. This sea evaporated 250,000,000 years ago.
Salt is extracted from the salt layers of the Zechstein Sea at a number of sites in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. This involves sodium chloride (table salt) at most places, with the best-known source in the Netherlands located at Boekelo.The source at Tripscompagnie mainly yields magnesium chloride. Throughout the world, only 10 such sources are exploited. The source at Tripscompagnie is recognised as the purest (uncontaminated) and most concentrated. This magnesium salt in its solid form has a 47% magnesium chloride content.
Extraction and use
The salt is extracted according to the ‘solution mining’ concept – see adjacent illustration. A pipe reaches to a depth of 1600 metres. Water is transported through this pipe. This water is heated by the earth (the temperature is 70 °C here) and dissolves the magnesium salt. The liquid salt (brine) is then pumped up via a 2nd pipe. Most of this solution travels from the mine to the NEDMAG factories in Veendam along an underground pipeline system. Here, it is processed to make it suitable for various industrial purposes. It is a raw material used in the manufacture of fireproof ovens and is added to clothing as a fire retardant.
Superior salt
Extraction for medicinal purposes – human and animal applications – has taken place since 2008. Two consultants who worked at the NEDMAG mine recognised the unique composition of this salt layer, which is superior in comparison to e.g. magnesium chloride from the Dead Sea and the likewise medicinal EPSOM salt that consists of magnesium sulphate.
The above illustration demonstrates that Zechstein salt – also known as bischofite – is last to crystallise. This means that it is the purest and rarest magnesium salt in existence.
Quality guarantee
Along with the mine owners, NEDMAG, the consultants founded a company called Zechstein Minerals, which holds exclusive rights to extract pure batches according to a strictly guarded process. This process starts in the laboratory, where the purity of batches is determined by means of analysis.
Subsequently, all pipelines and pumping systems are sterilised and the batch is extracted. As part of a contained process, it is captured in liquid form in a large boiler. The only processing that takes place is the removal of the small amount of iron that the solution contains to prevent the magnesium oil (as it is known in its liquid state) from turning a rusty colour. The liquid is subjected to a cooling and heating process, which returns the salt to crystal form as it was before being extracted from underground.
Every batch is analysed so that the exact composition is known at ppm (parts per million) level. This applies to the magnesium chloride content as well as the minimal amounts of trace elements that are present in the natural raw material. This quality guarantee allows these batches to be destined for human and animal use.
Before being sold, the natural products extracted in this way are provided with the adjacent logo. This distinguishes them from industrial batches that are also marketed by this mine.
Use by Zechsal
The processing of this pure salt for use by humans therefore takes place right at the source. And Zechsal has been based here since 2010. We receive the raw material directly from Zechstein Minerals in its unique (liquid and solid) state. We then pass these on to consumers and therapists as Zechsal magnesium oil and bath crystals. In addition, we also use the magnesium oil as an ingredient for products such as our body gel, body cream, shampoo, etc.
The other ingredients in these products are 100% natural and are subject to the very strictest (BDIH) natural cosmetics quality guarantees.
This means that, with Zechsal products, you are assured of the purest and most gentle natural magnesium, straight from the unique Zechstein source.