Potash fertiliser production with a difference: Alternatives to sylvinite processing

摘要

Potassium, alongside nitrogen and phosphorus, is an essential nutrient for plant cultivation in agriculture and is therefore needed for the production of mineral fertilisers. The raw material most commonly used as potash1 fertiliser is potassium chloride (KCI), and its final products are summarised under the term MOP2. Presently, it is mainly (approx. 70 %) produced from natural sylvinite3 ore. Besides sylvinite, natural brines and other potash ores such as carnallitite4 are sources for potassium chloride production.