Recovery of sodium compounds is important in the economy of the process. In modern kraft mills, operations are completely contained; waste streams are recycled and reused, eliminating water pollution.

But salt and dozens of compounds containing sodium - the element in salt linked to hypertension - have become omnipresent in processed foods from one end of the grocery store to the other.

Mineral compounds are made of elements such as sulphur, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium.