Value Chain

At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, we are responsible for developing and delivering quality products that strictly comply with our standards of excellence and all applicable regulations.

Through a rigorous Quality Management System, we provide timely attention and service to our customers and consumers.

We are committed to promoting human rights, fair treatment and environmental protection throughout our entire production chain.

NITRATE
PROCESS

At SQM, caliche ore is processed through heap leaching systems at our María Elena, Nueva Victoria and Pampa Blanca facilities, located in the Sierra Gorda area.

This process yields primary solutions that constitute the basis for iodine extraction.
During 2023, industrial nitrate production reached 160,400 metric tons, with sales totaling 180,400 metric tons.

Regarding nitrates (including Sodium, Potassium, and Sodium-potassium), as well as other specialty fertilizers and mixtures, production amounted to 925,000 metric tons, while sales stood at 847,000 metric tons.

These solutions are then transferred to solar evaporation ponds, where salts with high nitrate concentrations undergo a natural crystallization process. Once this stage is complete, the resulting salts are transported to our facilities in Coya Sur, where they are used as a strategic input in the production of potassium nitrate.

POTASSIUM
PROCESS

We work with highly specialized industrial technology and processes that include grinding, flotation, drying, and compaction, yielding high-value products such as Potassium chloride, Potassium sulfate, and Boric acid, which are essential for various industries and agricultural applications.

During 2023, Potassium production (in chloride and sulfate forms) reached 1,208.4 thousand metric tons, while sales volume for the same period was 543.1 thousand metric tons.

Once extracted, the brines are conveyed to our evaporation ponds, where they are naturally concentrated to obtain enriched brines and crystallized salts.

These salts are then collected and transported to our plants for processing.

IODINE
PROCESS

At our Pedro de Valdivia, María Elena, and Nueva Victoria facilities, the solutions obtained from the leaching of caliche ore constitute the basis for iodine production.

During 2023, production of iodine and iodide derivatives at SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition reached 13,900 metric tons, with sales volume totaling 13,100 metric tons.

Elemental iodine is obtained from the iodate present in these solutions through a controlled process that includes partial reduction to iodide by using sulfur dioxide generated by sulfur combustion.

Subsequently, the solid iodine undergoes specialized refining that includes melting and granulation (prilling) processes, thus ensuring the highest standards of purity and quality.