Potash Fertilizer Production and Technology.

The production, marketing, and application of potassium fertilizers (potash) are essential for maintaining global food supplies.  This presentation – an abbreviated version of a new IPNI presentation on the potash fertilizer industry- will describe the major considerations in modern potash production and fertilizer technology.  Potassium is a relatively abundant constituent in minerals within the earth’s crust, ranking as the seventh most common global element.   Potash fertilizer is extracted from natural minerals, separated from other geologic materials that are present, and then applied to soil to sustain plant growth.  The largest global reserves are located in Canada, followed by Russia, Belarus and Germany. Potash is generally obtained through conventional shaft mining, solution mining, or evaporation of surface brines.  These techniques and the processing involved in preparing finished potash fertilizers are described.