Timeline

682
THEODO II OF BAVARIA BRINGS A GIFT
Theodo II of Bavaria gives Bishop Rupertus of Salzburg 20 "Pfannenstädel" (saltworks) and a third of the springs in Bad Reichenhall. 

1193-1194
START OF SALT EXTRACTION IN BERCHTESGADEN
There is evidence that salt mining began here in Berchtesgaden.
1194 salt extraction on the Gollnbach in Berchtesgaden is documented.

1483-1532
RENOVATION OF THE FACILITIES IN BERCHTESGADEN
George, Duke of Bavaria and Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria acquire all the saltworks in Bad Reichenhall that are in the hands of bourgeois owners and fundamentally overhaul the technical facilities.

1517-1564
THE CURRENT BERCHTESGADEN SALT MINE IS BUILT
Founding of today's Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. In 1517, the Petersberg tunnel was built and the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine was founded by Prince Provost Gregor Rainer. The brine produced here is first directed to the Schellenberg Saltworks, and the Frauenreuth Saltworks in Berchtesgaden was built in 1556.

1580
DIVISION OF PROPERTY HAMPERS PROGRESS
Numerous documents show ecclesiastical and secular lords as owners of the Reichenhall Saltworks. The fragmented ownership hinders technical progress.

1617-1817
FIRST BRINE PIPELINE FROM BERCHTESGADEN TO TRAUNSTEIN
The first brine pipeline is built from Reichenhall to the Traunstein Saltworks. 1809/1810 the pipeline is extended to the newly built Rosenheim Saltworks.

1782-1798
REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN REICHENHALL
The entire production process in Reichenhall is reorganised and made more efficient by Karl-Theodor, Elector of Bavaria. Karl-Theodor, the early "multiplier and promoter" of the Reichenhall salt trade, is still commemorated by a monument in the gallery of the Quellenbau Saltworks building.

1810
BERCHTESGADEN FALLS TO THE KINGDOM OF BAVARIA
Berchtesgaden remains an independent princely provostry up until 1803. After belonging to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Austria and France, Berchtesgaden has been permanently annexed to the Kingdom of Bavaria since 1810. Salt mining and the saltworks are now part of the Königliche General-Bergwerks- und Salinenadministration (royal general mines and saltworks administration).

1816
DISCOVERY OF THE ROCK SALT DEPOSIT IN JAGSTFELD
Drilling at a depth of 150 m in Jagstfeld reveals the first rock salt deposit discovered in Central Europe. A salt wealth that was unique for the time was thus revealed. This discovery triggered a veritable salt boom throughout Germany.

1817
BRINE PIPELINE FROM BERCHTESGADEN TO REICHENHALL
the first Berchtesgaden brine flows to Reichenhall through wooden pipes. The pipeline is 29 km long. In 1816, the Royal Bavarian saltworks councillor, Georg von Reichenbach, was commissioned by King Maximilian I and his minister, Count Montgelas, to build this technical masterpiece.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRIEDRICHSHALL SALTWORKS
King Wilhelm I of Württemberg grants permission to sink a shaft in addition to the building permit for the Friedrichshall Saltworks. The saltworks become operational in the same year.

1820
FOUNDING OF THE ROYAL WÜRTTEMBERG SALTWORKS
The Royal Württemberg Saltworks is founded. The saltworks are named to commemorate the King's father, "Friedrich". An ingress of water initially restricts salt mining to extraction by brine evaporation.

1834
LARGE REICHENHALL CITY FIRE
A devastating city fire in Reichenhall destroys a large part of the saltworks facilities. 278 of the 302 buildings in Bad Reichenhall are burned down. King Ludwig I orders the reconstruction of the "Alte Saline” (Old Saltworks).

1848
AMALGAMATION OF THE FRIEDRICHSHALL AND CLEMENSHALL SALTWORKS
The Friedrichshall Saltworks takes over the administration and financial management of the Clemenshall Saltworks in Offenau.

1859
START OF SALT EXTRACTION FROM THE FRIEDRICHSHALL SALTWORKS

1865
MINING FREEDOM LAW REMOVES SALT FROM THE OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND
The "Allgemeine Berggesetz für die preußischen Staaten” (general mining law for the Prussian states) comes into force. It removes a specific quantity of mineral resources from land ownership, including brine and salt. This introduced a new term into mining law, namely “mining freedom”.

1881
ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST HEILBRONN SALT
A borehole drilled by the city of Heilbronn finds the first Heilbronn salt at a depth of 167.5 metres with a deposit thickness of 11.7 metres.

1883
FOUNDING OF THE "SALZWERK HEILBRONN AG"
A consortium of Württemberg and Frankfurt banks founds the "Salzwerk Heilbronn AG" (Heilbronn Salt Mine) with some city dignitaries under the direction of Theodor Lichtenberger. The company will be provided with capital of 3 million Marks.

1885
START OF ROCK SALT EXTRACTION AT THE HEILBRONN ROCK SALT MINE
On 4th December, on Barbaratag (Feast of St. Barbara, the miners’ festival), rock salt is mined for the first time in Heilbronn in addition to Jagstfeld.

1886-1887
CONSTRUCTION OF THE OPEN SALT MILL AND A SALTWORKS ALONG WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SALTWORKS' OWN NECKARHAFEN PORT IN HEILBRONN
1888
HUGE PRODUCTION VOLUME, EVEN IN THE FIRST YEAR
69,500 tons of rock salt and 25,000 tons of evaporated salt are sold within a single year. Theodor Lichtenberger’s exports to Holland are the main source of this vast revenue. Dutch salt storage facilities had not yet been developed at that time.

1895
ROCK SALT EXTRACTION IN JAGSTFELD IS ABANDONED FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF SOME SALT PILLARS AND FLOODING

1899
"KING WILHELM II” SHAFT
A new mine is commissioned in Kochendorf to extract rock salt, as the evaporated saltworks are unable to meet the high demand. The "King Wilhelm II" shaft, adjacent to Jagstfeld, goes down 180 m to reach a salt deposit 25 m thick.

1900
AMALGAMATION OF THE SALTWORKS IN JAGSTFELD AND ROTTWEIL AND THE MINE IN KOCHENDORF TO FORM THE "STAATLICHEN SALINE FRIEDRICHSHALL” (FRIEDRICHSHALL STATE SALTWORKS)
The Friedrichshall Saltworks and the new salt mine built after the Jagstfeld mine in Friedrichshall, district of Kochendorf, are merged to form the "Staatliche Saline Friedrichshall". The Clemenshall and Rottweil Saltworks are also part of this new company.

1901
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES REPORT ON THE HUGE VOLUME OF SALT MINED
Newspaper article: The Kochendorf works was then fully completed above and below ground during 1900 and 1901, so that rock salt production is now already greater than the highest ever achieved in Friedrichshall.”

1908
THE SALTWORKS IS THE DRIVING ECONOMIC FORCE IN HEILBRONN
The Saltworks is the largest source of tax revenue in the city of Heilbronn: "In the one generation of its existence, the Heilbronn Saltworks has already become a veritable salt fountain and has also developed into a kind of healing fountain, also due to the millions it has contributed to the coffers of city of Heilbronn to date.”

1910
CONSTRUCTION OF A SALT SMELTER IN HEILBRONN
The only salt smelter in Germany at the time liquefies the salt at temperatures around 800 °C. Additives are used to separate the salt from the admixtures with a higher melting point.

1912
CLOSURE OF THE TRAUNSTEIN SALTWORKS

1915
A NEW SHAFT TOWER IS ERECTED AT THE HEILBRONN PLANT

1918
FOUNDING OF REEDEREI SCHWABEN
The Reederei Schwaben shipping company is founded as the first shipping company on the Neckar at the initiative of the “Königlich Württembergische Fiskus” (royal Württemberg treasury). At this time, the focus is on solving the transport problem of salt mining in the lowlands combined with the expansion of the Neckar as a major shipping route.

1924
AMALGAMATION OF THE SALTWORKS IN DÜRRHEIM AND RAPPENAU TO FORM THE "VEREINIGTE BADISCHE STAATSSALINEN DÜRRHEIM-RAPPENAU AG” (UNITED BADEN STATE SALTWORKS DÜRRHEIM-RAPPENAU AG)

1926
THE NEW BAD REICHENHALL SALTWORKS ARE BUILT
The new Bad Reichenhall Saltworks are built on the site of the former logging works. Closed evaporator apparatus is used in the new saltworks for the first time instead of open mines. The Jetenberg hydropower plant will also be built and the Frauenreuth Saltworks will be closed.

1935
THE LOCATION ON THE NECKAR GIVES HEILBRONN GOOD MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
The Neckar Canal from Mannheim to Heilbronn enables salt to be transported by Rhine ships and thus strengthens the market position and competitiveness of the salt company. Salt traffic amounts to 322,000 tons on the Mannheim-Heilbronn route.

1943
THE SALTWORKS AS A SAFE PLACE FOR THE ARMAMENTS INDUSTRY
Following heavy bombing by the Allies, a bomb-proof, underground production facility for the German war economy is proposed by decree of the Reich Minister for Armaments and War Production.

1944
In 1944, a concentration camp is built in Kochendorf.

FIRE AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SALTWORKS IN BAD REICHENHALL
Some sections of the Bad Reichenhall Saltworks are destroyed by fire. Despite the extensive damage, work is provisionally resumed after only two months of reconstruction.

1945
STORAGE OF ARTEFACTS AND VALUABLES
Artefacts and valuables stored during the war are saved from destruction and deportation and returned to their owners. The basic concept of today's underground archive arose from World War II.

1948
"CLEARING RUBBLE AND EMERGENCY BUILDINGS" IS PART OF THE POST-WAR EFFORT
The first post-war general meeting of the Heilbronn Saltworks is held on 2nd June 1948. The balance sheet for 1945 was inevitably dominated by the war damage suffered: Half of the total fixed assets are assigned to the agenda item "Clearing rubble and emergency buildings” at the meeting.

1950
THE FIRST 500 G PACK FOR HOUSEHOLD USE
The small economic miracle: For the first time, small packages for households are available in 500 g packs. Table salt, curing salt and industrial salt are also sold in 50 kg sacks under the name "Reichenhaller evaporated table salt".

1955-1956
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPERATING TREATMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL SALT IN HEILBRONN SIMILAR TO THE FLOAT-SINK METHOD

1957
BAD REICHENHALLER TABLE SALT BECOMES A BRANDED ITEM
Focus of all evaporated salt production in the Bad Reichenhall Saltworks, closure of the Rosenheim Saltworks. Bad Reichenhaller table salt is now a national brand item.

FIRST AUTOMATED PROCESSES IN THE BAD REICHENHALLER PRODUCTION
In addition to packaging machines, the first printing and punching machines are used to produce the famous 500 g pack with the rhombus.

Before 1960
THE FIRST TABLE SALT WITH IODINE
For the first time, iodised table salt is available with the product name "Bavarian whole salt against the formation of goitre”. An important first measure to combat iodine deficiency in Germany.

1960-1975
IMPROVEMENT OF THE PLANT IN BAD REICHENHALL
Large expansion of the evaporation and drying plants, extensive mechanisation and automation of the packaging operation.

1961
DOWNPIPE IN THE SHAFT
Permanent commissioning of a downpipe in the King Wilhelm II shaft to transport the surface processing below ground.

1965
FOUNDING OF THE "SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALINEN GMBH” (SOUTH WEST GERMAN SALTWORKS)
The "Südwestdeutsche Salinen GmbH" (South West German Salt Works) is founded as an operating and sales company for the "Vereinigte Badische Staatssalinen Dürrheim-Rappenau AG" (United Baden State Saltworks Dürrheim-Rappenau) and the "Staatliche Saline Bad Friedrichshall"(Bad Friedrichshall State Saltworks).

1968
MERGER OF THE "SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALINEN GMBH" AND THE "VEREINIGTE BADISCHE STAATSSALINEN DÜRRHEIM-RAPPENAU AG" to form the SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALZ AG ““
Merger of "Südwestdeutsche Salinen GmbH" and "Vereinigte Badische Staatssalinen Dürrheim-Rappenau AG" to form "Südwestdeutsche Salz AG" based in Bad Friedrichshall. The state of Baden-Württemberg is the sole shareholder.

COMMISSIONING OF A VACUUM SYSTEM WITH ITS OWN HEATING POWER PLANT
Commissioning of a vacuum plant with its own combined heat and power plant to produce evaporated salt at the mine site in Kochendorf. 

1969
REPLACEMENT OF THE SALTWORKS BY THE TECHNICALLY MORE ADVANCED AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE REFINERY IN KOCHENDORF

1970
FOUNDING OF THE “SÜDWESTSALZ-VERTRIEBS GMBH” SALES COMPANY WITH ITS HEAD OFFICE IN BAD FRIEDRICHSHALL
Foundation of "SÜDWESTSALZ-VERTRIEBS GMBH" with its head office in Bad Friedrichshall as a joint distribution company between "Salzwerk Heilbronn AG" and "Südwestdeutsche Salz AG".

THE FIRST SALT SHAKER
Bad Reichenhaller salt arrives on the table in a new form of packaging; the practical, refillable shaker. This has been optimised repeatedly over the decades and it still extremely popular today and has become a distinctive feature of the brand.

1971
THE "SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALZWERKE AG” IS FOUNDED
Merger of "Salzwerk Heilbronn AG" and "Südwestdeutsche Salz AG" to become SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALZWERKE AG with its administrative head office in Heilbronn. Dr. Karl-Heinz Kießling, Carl-Friedrich Klumpp, Dr. Anton Saur and former mining assessor Wilhelm Wegener were appointed to the Executive Board.

THE NEW BRAND NAME: BAD REICHENHALLER MARKENSALZ
The Bad Reichenhaller salt brand name is created. The former "Bavarian whole salt with iodine" is marketed under the name "Bad Reichenhaller JodSalz” (iodised salt). The packaging will be standardised as part of a redesign.

1972
SINKING OF THE FRANKEN SHAFT, INITIALLY ONLY AS A SECOND PIT EXIT AND TO IMPROVE VENTILATION 

1973-1976
INCREASING EFFICIENCY IN BAD REICHENHALL AND BERCHTESGADEN
Production capacity in Berchtesgaden is increased while energy use in Bad Reichenhall is rationalised. In addition, a new combined drilling and flushing jig process is developed at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine.

1975-1976
EXPANSION OF THE "FRANKEN" SHAFT
The "Franken" shaft is upgraded to create a high-performance winding shaft.

1975-1991
INCREASING MECHANISATION IN BAD REICHENHALL
The Bad Reichenhaller product range is being constantly updated. The growing mechanisation of processing, packaging and storage systems.

1980-1982
THE "HEILBRONN" SHAFT BECOMES FULLY WATERTIGHT
Complete overhaul of the "Heilbronn" shaft with the insertion of a watertight liner in the shaft and the installation of a new winding system.

1983
ANNIVERSARY "100 YEARS OF THE HEILBRONN SALTWORKS"

1984
“UNTERIRDISCHER VERBUND DER BERGWERKE HEILBRONN UND KOCHENDORF” (UNDERGROUND ASSOCIATION OF THE HEILBRONN AND KOCHENDORF MINES)
A historic event occurs on 18th January 1984: The breakthrough of the connecting section and the two formerly independent rock salt mines: Heilbronn and Kochendorf are connected.

1 MILLION TONS OF EVAPORATED SALT FROM THE REFINERY

1985
ANNIVERSARY "100 YEARS OF SALT MINING IN THE HEILBRONN SALT MINE”

1986-1988
REFURBISHMENT OF THE "KING WILHELM II" SHAFT
The "King Wilhelm II" shaft in Kochendorf is refurbished. The underground workforce will be relocated to the mine in Heilbronn during the refurbishment work. The mine in Kochendorf is also equipped with a new winding system.

1987
COMMISSIONING OF THE HEILBRONN UNDERGROUND WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE TO MANAGE NON-MINING WASTE

BAD REICHENHALLER SEASONING SALT
Bad Reichenhaller starts a trend for convenience with KräuterJodSalz (iodised seasoning salt). Genuine Bad Reichenhaller brand iodised salt with high-quality dried herbs and spices.

1988-1991
CONSTRUCTION OF A BRINE PURIFICATION PLANT IN BAD REICHENHALL
A brine purification plant is built in Bad Reichenhall. The evaporator systems are renovated to adapt to a change in the process engineering design.

1991
ANNIVERSARY "175 YEARS OF SALT FROM BAD FRIEDRICHSHALL" IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE, EXPANSION AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEILBRONN MINE WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE
Removal of the time limit on the storage permit and extension of the permit for the storage of flue gas purification residues.

INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIN EN ISO 9001

1992
UEV IS FOUNDED
The subsidiary UEV (Umwelt, Entsorgung und Verwertung GmbH (environment, waste management and recycling) is founded.

THE CONDITIONING PLANT IS INSTALLED IN A BUILDING OF THE FORMER ROCK SALT PROCESSING PLANT
The conditioning plant is installed in a building of the former rock salt processing plant to combine the dry delivered materials intended for backfilling with liquid and to store them there.

THE FIRST TABLE SALT WITH FLUORIDE
The new Bad Reichenhaller MarkenSalz + Fluorid variety is launched on the market in 500 g packs and 500 g containers.

1994
THE END OF SALT MINING IN KOCHENDORF
The end of salt mining in the Kochendorf mine. The mine is now used as a backfill mine.

1995
FOUNDING OF “SÜDSALZ GMBH”
Südsalz GmbH, Munich includes, for BHS, Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG (Bavarian mining, smelting and saltworks), the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, the Bad Reichenhall Saltworks and the former Bad Reichenhaller Salz sales and distribution company and, for Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG, the saltworks in Bad Friedrichshall and the former Südwestsalz Vertriebs GmbH, Bad Friedrichshall, each with all its shareholdings.

COMMISSIONING OF THE EXPANDED EVAPORATED SALT PRODUCTION IN THE SALTWORKS AND EXPANSION OF THE COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PLANT IN BAD FRIEDRICHSHALL
Renovation and expansion of evaporated salt production to 160,000 tons per year. A 1.4 MW gas turbine with combined heat recovery and power boiler will be added to the CHP plant.

1996
ANNIVERSARY "25 YEARS OF SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALZWERKE AG"

COMMISSIONING OF THE UNDERGROUND CONVEYANCE SYSTEM FOR BULK MATERIAL AT THE BAD FRIEDRICHSHALL-KOCHENDORF WORKS
Commissioning of the underground conveyance system for bulk material to backfill the cavities in the Kochendorf mine.

1996-1997
DOUBLING OF THE CAPACITY OF THE "HEILBRONN" SHAFT

1997
COMMISSIONING OF THE UNDERGROUND ARCHIVE

1998
SPATIAL AND MATERIAL EXPANSION OF THE UNDERGROUND WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE

1999
FOUNDING OF AGROSAL GMBH
AGROSAL GmbH is founded as a joint venture between Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG and Vereinigte Schweizerische Rheinsalinen AG (united Swiss Rhine saltworks) to jointly manufacture products for agriculture and forestry.

CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMP BACKFILL SYSTEM
Construction of a pump backfill system to transfer of waste into a fluid suspension that can be pumped out of mine.

ANNIVERSARY "100 YEARS OF THE KOCHENDORF MINE"

2000
FOUNDING OF THE SUBSIDIARY SWS-ALPENSALZ GMBH
Founding of SWS-Alpensalz GmbH, Heilbronn, in which Schweizer Rheinsalinen AG, Pratteln, Switzerland, holds 10% of the share capital. The consolidation would ensure close cooperation and sales opportunities.

2001
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN SÜDSALZ GMBH
Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG acquires the majority shareholding in Südsalz GmbH, Munich.

ANNIVERSARY "75 YEARS OF THE NEW SALTWORKS IN BAD REICHENHALL"

THE FIRST SEASONING SALT MILL
Bad Reichenhaller expands its range with the seasoning salt mills. The dried herbs or spices develop their full aroma freshly ground and mixed with the right pinch of salt in the same twist. 

2002
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN REEDEREI SCHWABEN GMBH
Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG acquires a majority shareholding in Reederei Schwaben GmbH, Stuttgart. The shipping company transports 1.5 million tons of salt annually. While Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG previously held 26% of the shares in the shipping company, it has held the majority of the shares since July 2002.

NEW UNDERGROUND PROCESSING IN HEILBRONN
Commissioning of the new underground rock salt processing plant in Heilbronn.

THE FIRST TABLE SALT WITH FLUORIDE AND FOLIC ACID
The first salt with the valuable B vitamin, folic acid: Bad Reichenhaller MarkenJodSalz + Fluorid + Folsäure (iodised salt with flouride and folic acid) expands the range of brand salt to four varieties.

WITH THE POWER OF ALPINE BRINE: BAD REICHENHALLER HEALTH PRODUCTS
Bad Reichenhaller health products have a purely natural effect and alleviate the symptoms of allergies and respiratory ailments. The unique Alpine brine from the healing spring in Bad Reichenhall contained in the health products are a natural supplement to medicinal products.

2003-2004
SINKING OF THE "KONRADSBERG" SHAFT
Sinking of the "Konradsberg" shaft in Heilbronn-Biberach. The 10 million euro investment provides the miners underground with fresh air ("fresh weather") and electricity. At that time, this shaft was probably the last to be sunk in the whole of Germany.

2004
INCREASE IN PRODUCTION CAPACITY IN BAD REICHENHALL
The capacity of evaporated salt production increases from 265,000 to 300,000 tons per year by boosting the compressor capacity of the existing evaporation plant and installing a flash evaporator.

BACKFILLING OF THE 1 MILLIONTH TON IN THE KOCHENDORF BACKFILL MINE
The 1 millionth ton is stored in the Kochendorf backfill mine since the opening of the backfill mine in late 1992.

FOUNDING OF RHEINSALZ AG
FOUNDING OF Rheinsalz AG as a joint venture with Schweizerische Rheinsalz AG.

2006
INTRODUCTION OF CUTTING EXTRACTION
The first cutting operation of the "Continuous Miner" takes place in Heilbronn on 22nd May 2006. Salt can now also be extracted by cutting in addition to drilling and blasting.

EXPANSION IN CAPACITY OF THE TEMPORARY STORAGE OF DE-ICING SALT
Construction of the new transshipment hall for de-icing salt on the Heilbronn works site with a capacity of approx. 75,000 tons.

A NEW LOOK FOR BAD REICHENHALLER
Redesign of all packaging and containers. The new design retains the traditional features of the Bad Reichenhaller brand - the red band and blue rhombus.

2006-2007
NEW VISITOR CENTRE IN BERCHTESGADEN
Construction of a new visitor centre with ticket office, reception, cloakroom and salt shop/. The underground visitor sites and technical facilities are also redesigned.

2007
FOUNDING OF THE SUBSIDIARY SWS-WINTERDIENST GMBH
SWS-Winterdienst GmbH (a winter service company) is founded in December 2007 as an additional subsidiary of Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG.

20 YEARS OF THE HEILBRONN UNDERGROUND WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE
The first waste arrived at the Heilbronn mine in January 1987.

15. ANNIVERSARY OF UEV WITH A RECORD BACKFILL CONVEYANCE
On the 15th anniversary of UEV GmbH, a new monthly record is set at the Kochendorf backfill mine with 75,000 tons of backfilled bulk material.

2008
THE FIRST ORGANIC PRODUCTS FROM BAD REICHENHALLER: MARKENSALZMÜHLEN+
High-quality MarkenSalzMühlen+ (brand salt mills) in three varieties: Coarse Bad Reichenhaller MarkenJodSalz pure + rosemary or + chilli. All herbs and spices come exclusively from organic cultivation.

2008-2010
NEW SECTION ADDED TO THE KOCHENDORF MINE
A second underground passage is excavated to link Heilbronn and Kochendorf. On 11th October 2010, the breakthrough to the 4,240-metre section with the Continuous Miner is a great success.

2010
ANNIVERSARY "125 YEARS OF ROCK SALT MINING IN HEILBRONN"
The first ton of salt was extracted from the Heilbronn mine on Barbaratag (Feast of St. Barbara), 4th December 1885.

2011
OPENING OF THE MARKENMUSEUM ALTE SALINE (OLD SALTWORKS BRAND MUSEUM)
The Bad Reichenhaller Markenmuseum with a salt shop is opened in the Old Saltworks. 

2012
REOPENING OF THE MINE IN BAD FRIEDRICHSHALL
Reopening for visitors of the redesigned and modernised Bad Friedrichshall mine.

RELOCATION OF THE BULK MATERIAL PLANT TO HEILBRONN
After the major part of the chambers and passages in Kochendorf were backfilled, the backfilling of the Heilbronn field sections will now begin via the newly excavated connection in Heilbronn.

2016
MERGER OF SÜDSALZ GMBH AND SWS-WINTERDIENST GMBH INTO SÜDWESTDEUTSCHE SALZWERKE AG

BAD REICHENHALLER: NEW NAME, NEW DESIGN
The brand salt that has been a kitchen classic for generations is now renamed AlpenSalz (Alpine salt). The packaging design is also brought up to date, but loses none of its character.

2017
ANNIVERSARY "500 YEARS OF THE BERCHTESGADEN SALT MINE"
The oldest active mine in Germany. The history of the salt mine was essentially shaped by salt extraction and the salt trade. The highlight of the celebrations was Whitsun Monday with the traditional mine festival and thousands of guests, church dignitaries and politicians in Berchtesgaden.

ANNIVERSARY "25 YEARS OF UEV GMBH"

ANNIVERSARY "30 YEARS OF THE UNDERGROUND WASTE DISPOSAL SITE IN HEILBRONN"
Disposal of waste from both inside and outside Germany with high safety standards

MILESTONES FOR BAD REICHENHALLER - THE TRADITIONAL BRAND GOES ONLINE
The traditional Bad Reichenhaller brand enters the digital age with the redesigned website including a brand blog, the microsite for the promotion campaign "Der Genuss ruft!" (taste calling!) and its own Facebook fan page.

NEW PRODUCTION HALL FOR ROCK DE-ICING SALT
Construction of a new production hall including filling facilities for de-icing salt products in small containers at the Heilbronn site.

2018
EXCELLENT TRAINING COMPANY
Receipt of the "Excellent Training Company" quality seal from the Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Industry and Commerce in August 2019.

2019
EXPANSION OF CAPACITY OF THE TEMPORARY STORE FOR DE-ICING SALT
Construction of a new warehouse for de-icing salt on the Heilbronn works site with a capacity of approx. 25,000 tons.

FOUNDING OF THE SUBSIDIARY SALZWERKE BETEILIGUNGEN GMBH
Salzwerke Beteiligungen GmbH, a shareholding company, s founded in 2019 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG. It offers financial support to young, innovative start-ups and a commitment to assist them using the expertise the Salzwerke Group gained from over 130 years of company history.

2022
ANNIVERSARY "30 YEARS OF UEV GMBH"