Two companies have officially indicated their intent to revive industrial salt production at the historic “Bajo Sekulić” saltworks in Ulcinj, Montenegro. The proposal, submitted on March 9, 2026, comes from the local company Montesalina and its Italian partner Europea Sali S.r.l., who have expressed interest in securing a long-term concession for the site.
The investors are prepared to invest substantial financial resources aimed at modernizing the existing infrastructure, restoring salt harvesting operations, and implementing advanced production technologies while ensuring the ecological integrity of the surrounding area.
Founded in 1934, the Ulcinj saltworks was once a significant producer of salt in the Adriatic region. However, industrial production began to decline over time and ultimately ceased around 2013 following the company’s bankruptcy. This cessation left a vast network of evaporation basins dormant and raised concerns regarding the future of this historically important site.
Since the halt in operations, management of the area has primarily focused on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, as the salt pans have become recognized habitats for migratory birds and other wetland ecosystems. This situation presents a challenge for policymakers who must balance economic revitalization with environmental preservation, especially since the site is designated as a nature park with considerable ecological significance.
The investment plan proposed by Montesalina and Europea Sali S.r.l. aims to integrate industrial activity with ecological protection and tourism development. Planned investments include restoring production infrastructure and evaporation basins, introducing modern salt-harvesting technologies, enhancing biodiversity and wetland conservation efforts, developing ecotourism initiatives linked to the saltworks, and creating new employment opportunities for the local community.
The investors are advocating for a long-term concession that would enable them to manage and operate the saltworks in collaboration with government authorities. This concession would necessitate a formal agreement with both state and municipal entities, including approval of a detailed investment plan, project timeline, and management structure.
This proposal follows the establishment of a joint company by the Government of Montenegro and the Municipality of Ulcinj to oversee the Ulcinj Salt Pans Nature Park, which provides an institutional framework for potential partnerships in this endeavor. Before any concession can be granted, thorough legal, technical, environmental, and financial assessments will need to be conducted alongside negotiations between investors and public authorities.
The Ulcinj saltworks represents not only a vast coastal wetland area but also one of the largest historical salt-production systems in the Mediterranean. The site’s dual role as an industrial producer and habitat for migratory birds places it at the center of ongoing discussions regarding Montenegro’s environmental and economic policies. Environmental groups advocate for its protection while local stakeholders highlight its economic potential.
If successful, this investment could significantly impact Ulcinj’s local economy by creating jobs and reviving an industrial sector that has been vital to the town’s economic history. Furthermore, integrating ecotourism with traditional salt production could enhance the site’s economic value beyond mere manufacturing activities.
Currently, the proposal remains in its preliminary stages as investor interest has been formally expressed but no concession agreement has yet been established. The next steps involve evaluating this proposal by government officials to determine whether negotiations for a concession should advance.
A successful project will need to align three critical objectives: economic revitalization, environmental protection, and sustainable local development. Achieving this balance could lead to a revival of both an important industrial tradition and a unique coastal ecosystem that has characterized the region for nearly a century.
