In 1612, the decision was made to implement technical innovations in Sassendorf, such as the construction of the Gradierwerk. Due to the increased production output, the consumption of wood as a fuel for boiling the salt also increased. The decision was made to switch to coal firing in 1705.
However, the work was only made more difficult by the difficult transportation. Relief came with the railroad line built in 1850, which created a west-east connection between the Cologne-Minden and Thuringian railroads. The connection of the 'Hellweg' trade route to the German railroad network also made it possible to modernize the salt works.