what is POTASH ?

The term "potash" comes from the pioneer practice of extracting potassium fertilizer (K2CO3) by leaching wood ashes and evaporating the solution in large iron pots.

Potash, or carbonate of potash, is in fact a mixture of potassium salt with impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3). In other words, it is the common term used for the fertilizer forms of the element potassium (K).

Potassium occurs abundantly in nature, being the 7th most common element in the earth's crust. Some clay minerals which are associated with heavy soils are rich sources of potassium.

Potash bearing rock deposits occur in many regions of the world. They are derived from the minerals in ancient seas that dried up millions of years ago. Fertilizer potash is mostly derived from these potash rocks. It requires only separation from the salt and other minerals.

There are no known substitutes for potash.

Economic Sources of Potash
sedimentary salt beds
remaining from
ancient inland seas
(evaporite deposits)

Uses of Potash

Potash has three main uses: fertilizer, livestock feed supplements and industrial processes. 95% of world's potash is used in fertilizers, while the rest is used for feed supplements and industrial production.

Potash is a key ingredient in fertilizers that enhances water retention of plants, increases crop yields and plants' disease resistance. In feed supplements, the key function of potash is to contribute to animal growth and milk production. Potash is also used to produce glass, ceramics, soaps etc.

About Potash

Mined from natural mineral deposits left by ancient evaporated seas, potash is primarily used as a crop nutrient. Its potassium strengthens plant stalks and roots and helps crops fight disease and injury. In addition to improving yields, potash adds flavor, color and texture to foods. Potash is also used to make industrial products ranging from soaps to computer monitors. Key Products – Standard and Granular Potash

FUTURE GROWTH AREAS

About Phosphate

Made from ancient marine fossils, phosphate rock is combined with acids for use in fertilizer, feed and industrial products. By aiding in photosynthesis and cell division, phosphate fertilizer speeds crop maturity and increases yields. As a feed supplement, phosphate is necessary for skeletal development and aids in animal muscle repair. Key Products – DAP, MAP, Phosphoric Acid

About Nitrogen

Nitrogen occurs naturally in air, but it must be converted for use by agriculture and industry. As a fertilizer, nitrogen speeds the growth of plants and is critical to crop yield. As a major component of chlorophyll, nitrogen also keeps plants green. Industrial nitrogen products are used to make plastics, carpets, batteries and more. Key Products – Ammonia, Urea

The need for our products

Like people, plants need nutrients to develop. Each time a crop is harvested, it takes with it some of those nutrients from the soil. Fertilizers replace the nutrients so the soil can continue to produce healthy and abundant crops. Fertilizer is vital because it allows farmers to produce more crops on less land. Without fertilizer, we would need at least 40 percent more farmland. Fertilizer has become increasingly important as conditions challenge farmers throughout the world:

There are more mouths to feed. Population has more than doubled since 1950 and is expected to grow from 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion by 2050. With that growth comes even greater demand for food.

More people are eating meat. As incomes rise in developing nations, millions of people are switching from starch- to protein-based diets. Every pound of beef requires seven pounds of grain to produce, and this has a substantial impact on grain demand.

There is less farmland available per person. Urbanization and population growth are shrinking available farmland. By the year 2020, the land available per person is expected to be less than half that of 1950.

Crop yields are low in many growing regions. Historical under-application of fertilizer has led to low yields in countries like China, India and Brazil. By properly using fertilizer, these countries could dramatically improve crop production.

Our key global markets

Our products are sold throughout the world, including mature North American and growing Asian and South American markets.

China

With a population of 1.3 billion, China uses more fertilizer than any other country. With rising incomes leading to an ever-increasing demand for meat and other protein-rich foods, China must reverse its trend of under-applying fertilizer – especially potash – to keep up with its growing demand for crops.

India

India’s size (1.1 billion people) and improving economics are driving demand for more food and better diets. With 17 percent of the world’s population but only 11 percent of its available farmland, and crop yields typically ranging from 20 to 50 percent of those in the US, India clearly needs more fertilizer.

Brazil

Benefiting from abundant land and labor, Brazil has become a major exporter of soybeans, sugar, coffee, orange juice, tobacco, beef and poultry. Future growth in the country’s agriculture industry will rely on potash as Brazil’s soils are naturally low in potassium.

Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines)

Indonesia and Malaysia are two of the world’s largest producers of palm oil – a product made from potash-intensive oil palm and most often used as cooking oil – along with food crops grown for export. Malaysia and Indonesia are also major players in the biofuel industry.

North America

The US and Canada are among the world’s most efficient agricultural producers, with the US alone accounting for 40 percent of the total global trade in wheat, corn, soybeans and cotton. Utilizing best farm management practices, North America is a significant and stable global fertilizer market.

Our unique abilities and assets

With demand for grain rising throughout the world, the need for fertilizer – especially potash – has never been greater.

We continually seek ways to strengthen our role in meeting the world’s evolving food challenges and to serve our customers and markets where and when they need us.
By maximizing the potential of our potash operations, we can add substantial capacity by constructing a  new mine – a process which may take at least five to seven years to complete. As we do this we will have unique opportunities and responsibilities to our Investors and the Global Community.

We will look for ways to expand our global reach by growing our company through investments and acquisitions as opportunities arise while we accumulate key land holdings in North America and participate in strategic joint ventures.