Ultrasol®ution K Liquid Potassium Nitrate Now Available from SQM for Use in Specialty Crops

ATLANTA--()--SQM North America introduces Ultrasol®ution K, its latest innovation in specialty plant nutrition. An all-in-one liquid formulation, Ultrasol®ution K is composed of 100 percent macronutrients that are readily available for plant uptake, making it more efficient than other liquid fertilizers, and an ideal source of nitrogen and potassium. Initially, Ultrasol®ution K will be available in two grades — 2.7-0-9 for cool season and 3-0-10 for warm season.

“Ultrasol®ution K will address the need for chloride-free potassium and safe-handling nitrate-nitrogen in the liquid fertilizer market, opening up new possibilities for nutrient management in California specialty crops like almonds and strawberries, where water quality and use efficiency are of utmost importance,” says SQM agronomist J.W. Lemons.

As growers evaluate nutrient sources and build their nitrogen management plans for the 2019 season, incorporating Ultrasol®ution K as a primary nitrogen source helps address crop nutrient needs in the most effective, efficient way possible. When applied at the right rate and the right time, Ultrasol®ution has proven to be the right source to maximize use efficiency while increasing yields.

In UC Davis research, a fertilizer program with liquid potassium nitrate in continuous fertigation, following a banded application of SOP (sulphate of potash), resulted in a 17 percent cumulative yield increase over SOP alone. The program including Ultrasol®ution K in continuous fertigation resulted in a 22 percent yield increase over a program including PTS (potassium thiosulphate) and SOP.

“Beyond its performance benefits, the liquid formulation will allow retailers to easily adapt this product into their existing tank farm for convenient, safe and compliant storage. For growers, no conversion is needed, making Ultrasol®ution K ideal for liquid blending or mixing in the field,” continued Lemons.

When compared to other liquid fertilizers, Ultrasol®ution K has a low salt index and a much lower plant toxicity risk than nitrogen sources based on ammonium or liquid-potassium sources that can include acidifying by-products. Urea and ammonium N must first undergo chemical conversions in the soil before becoming available to plants. Ammonium also competes for the uptake of important nutrients like K, Ca and Mg and must be converted into organic N compounds in the roots. Nitrates are readily available, allowing plants to focus on processes that promote plant growth.

An essential component of nutrient management plans, liquid potassium nitrate consistently demonstrates a positive return on investment and has been proven to help growers produce higher yielding crops with improved appearance, higher nutritional values, and longer shelf life.

About SQM

SQM´s business strategy is to be a global company, with people committed to excellence, dedicated to the extraction of minerals and selectively integrated in the production and sale of products for the industries essential for human development (e.g. food, health, technology). This strategy was built on the following five principles:

  • ensure availability of key resources required to support current goals and medium and long-term growth of the business;
  • consolidate a culture of lean operations (M1 excellence) through the entire organization, including operations, sales and support areas;
  • significantly increase nitrate sales in all its applications and ensure consistency with iodine commercial strategy;
  • maximize the margins of each business line through appropriate pricing strategy;
  • successfully develop and implement all lithium expansion projects of the Company, acquire more lithium and potassium assets to generate a competitive portfolio.

These principles are based on the following key concepts:

  • strengthen the organizational structure to supports the development of the Company's strategic plan, focusing on the development of critical capabilities and the application of the corporate values of Excellence, Integrity and Safety;
  • develop a robust risk control and mitigation process to actively manage business risk;
  • improve our stakeholder management to establish links with the community and communicate to Chile and worldwide our contribution to industries essential for human development.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make concerning the Company’s business outlook, future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, or other financial items, anticipated cost synergies and product or service line growth.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are estimates that reflect the best judgment of SQM management based on currently available information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Readers are referred to the documents filed by SQM with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to SQM on the date hereof and SQM assumes no obligation to update such statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts

For SQM
Dana Hartong, 919-870-5718
dhartong@gscommunications.com

Release Summary

SQM North America introduces Ultrasol®ution K, a liquid potassium nitrate for use in specialty crops.

Contacts

For SQM
Dana Hartong, 919-870-5718
dhartong@gscommunications.com