Manila, Philippines – A team of Filipino researchers has developed the Continuous Screw-Type Salt Washer, a purification technology that enhances salt quality, improves efficiency, and ensures compliance with food safety standards. Designed to address contamination and inefficiencies in traditional salt farming, this innovation is set to transform salt production not just in the Philippines, but worldwide.
Despite having over 7,600 islands and vast coastal resources, the Philippines imports more than 90% of its salt supply due to outdated production methods and strict iodization laws. Many salt farmers struggle to meet regulatory standards, leading to declining local production. Salt farmers not just in the Philippines but even in other countries struggle with contamination, inefficient processing, and difficulty meeting quality standards. This challenge prompts researchers and innovators to ask, “How might we help salt producers improve their methods to ensure high-purity salt while remaining competitive in the global market?”
In response to this challenge, a team of Filipino innovators from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippines’ leading government agency for scientific, technological, and innovation-driven efforts, has developed the Continuous Screw-Type Salt Washer. This industry-standard, human-centric solution optimizes the salt purification process by effectively removing contaminants while enhancing efficiency and sustainability in salt production.
Driving Innovation in Food Safety and Sustainability
The Continuous Screw-Type Salt Washer streamlines purification through a fully-mechanized process, significantly reducing labor-intensive operations prone to contamination. The technology integrates a hopper, screw conveyor, washable cartridge filter, and a recyclable washing medium, allowing salt producers to process raw salt continuously while minimizing waste. This ensures cleaner, higher-purity salt that meets both local and international quality standards.
Beyond efficiency, this innovation contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in responsible production, resource efficiency, and economic empowerment for small-scale salt farmers.
We developed this technology to modernize salt purification while ensuring compliance with safety regulations. It is designed to benefit not only the Philippine salt industry but also producers in other coastal regions worldwide,"
Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, one of the inventors of the technology, shared.
Field-tested for Global Commercialization
The Continuous Screw-Type Salt Washer has undergone extensive laboratory and field testing, proving its ability to remove contaminants while optimizing production capacity.
Since securing intellectual property protection in 2022 through the Intellectual Property Rights Assistance Program (IPRAP) of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), this innovation has gained national recognition, winning the Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention at the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) 2024.
With commercialization efforts already underway in the Philippines, the team is actively seeking international partnerships to bring this solution to a broader market. "We believe this technology can transform salt processing industries beyond our borders," Dr. Briones said.
Bringing Filipino-made Technology to the 50th IEIG
The Continuous Screw-Type Salt Washer is one of the Philippine technologies set to represent the country at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (IEIG), one of the world’s most reputable and renowned exhibitions for emerging innovations, in April 2025. Through the Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits (SPICE) Program of DOST-TAPI, Dr. Briones and her team will present their innovation to a global audience, with the aim to expand its reach and showcase how it aligns with global efforts to promote food safety, economic growth, and sustainable production practices.
Currently, the technology is being commercialized and implemented among various salt producers across the Philippines. Looking ahead, the team is actively exploring international partnerships to expand its reach beyond the country. “We are excited to showcase Filipino ingenuity on the world stage. This invention is not just for local use—we believe it has the potential to revolutionize salt processing in other countries as well,” Dr. Briones shared.
** This article is part of the “Shape The Future Through Innovations: Pagsulong Tungo sa Gintong Tagumpay” Campaign for the 50th IEIG. For more information and event updates, please visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph. For media inquiries, please get in touch with Ms. Mirielle Vacal at +639567113145 or Mr. Heherson Valdez at +639064477735, or email ccu@tapi.dost.gov.ph **