SQM owns natural resources in the desert that are unique in the world, which allows the company to have an innovative business model. From the depths of the driest desert in the world SQM pumps up the brines and mines the caliche, the raw materials for manufacturing the products that make up the 5 lines of SQM business.
The caliche and the brines are the raw materials for all SQM production. The desert is the common factor.
Recreation of the caliche
heap leaching (Tente en
el Aire Mine).
Potassium is one of the three main elements that all plants need to grow and flourish, so it cannot be replaced.
Recreation of the solar
evaporation ponds
(Atacama salt flats).
POTASSIUM
Potassium is one of the three main elements that all plants need to grow and flourish, so it cannot be replaced.
SQM produces the
three main sources
of potassium.
Among other benefits potassium makes the plant more resistant to hydric stress, extreme temperatures and parasites.
SPECIALITY PLANT NUTRIENTS
SQM produces complete nutritional solutions for modern high-tech agriculture that improves crop yield and quality.
Ideal for use in
organic agriculture.
Application through
fertigation, soil
and leaves.
IODINE AND DERIVATIVES
Iodine is a non-metallic chemical element from the halogen family. In its natural state it is solid, dark purple in color, and it has a variety of uses in daily life.
It is a component
in LCD/LED screens.
It is used as a
contrast in X-Rays.
It is used in medicine
in iodopovidone and
pharmaceutical products,
bactericides, fungicides
and disinfectants.
INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS
The different industrial chemicals produced are used in glass manufacturing, ceramic glazes, glass enamels, metal treatment and solar salts.
Solar energy production plants use a system of storing molten salts that provide heat to the turbines
during the night, replacing solar energy and allowing electricity to be produced 24 hours of the day.
Hot solar salt.
Solar concentration tower.
Cold solar salt.
Solar panels.
LITHIUM AND ITS DERIVATIVES
Lithium is the lightest metallic element and has a high electrochemical potential. It is used in manufacturing cathodes of high-power lithium ion batteries with a long life-span and low memory effect.
It is the most efficient source
of energy for cellphones,
portable computers and
other electronic mobile devices.
Lithium ion technology
is key for the storage
of clean energy.
The growing market of hybrid
and electric cars means that there is increasing demand for lithium.