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Potash is the common name for a group of minerals and chemicals that contain potassium. Potash is used in fertilizers for disease resistance, to support plant growth, and to increase crop yield. On July 31, 1790, President George Washington signed the first patent issued in the United States. The patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins for a new process and apparatus for making potash, America's first industrial chemical.
Key Takeaways
- Potash is America's first industrial chemical, patented in 1790.
- It is made of potassium, an essential part of the human diet.
- Potash is used in fertilizers for disease resistance, to support plant growth, and to increase crop yield.
What Is Potash?
Potash is synonymous with potassium chloride (KCl), or muriate of potash (MOP). It's found in combined forms with other minerals in the earth's crust, particularly in large deposits of clay minerals and heavy soils. The term "potash" describes the fertilizer forms of potassium derived by separating the salt and other minerals.
What Is Potash Used for?
Potash is used on farms to fertilize the food supply. It is a critical ingredient that helps improve crop yields, increase resistance to plant diseases, and heighten water retention. It also positively affects food color, taste, and texture.
Potash is a component of feed supplements used to grow livestock and enhance milk production. It has several industrial applications that trace back to early American history, including glass, soap, and ceramic production.
Potash Production
Canada, China, Russia, and Belarus ranked as the top four potash producers in 2023. In the United States, most potash production occurs in New Mexico, where two companies operate underground mines and one deep-well solution mine. In 2023, the value of marketable potash was $570 million with Canadian company, Nutrien, and the U.S.-based Mosaic accounting for 33% of potash production worldwide.
In May 2024, H.R.8450 - Phosphate and Potash Protection Act of 2024 was introduced to the U.S. Congress. The bill requires the Department of the Interior to determine whether potash, phosphates, and fertilizer-related minerals are designated as critical minerals.
There are no known substitutes for potassium as an essential nutritional requirement for animals and humans.
Dietary Requirements
Potassium is an important element of the human diet for cellular metabolism and body functions. It's essential for tissues, muscles, organs, and the heart.The average recommended intake for an adult is 2.6 to 3.4 grams per day but the intake level can change depending on the individual's needs. Good sources of potassium include citrus fruits and juices, milk, chicken, red meat, fish, soy products, root vegetables, bananas, nuts, and yogurt.
Farm soil contains more potassium than nitrogen and phosphorous. These three nutrients are all critical to thriving plant growth. Potassium absorption is enabled by the use of soil that is enriched with potash-based fertilizers.
What Are Critical Minerals?
The Energy Act of 2020 defines a “critical mineral” as a mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the director of the U.S. Geological Survey. As of Sept. 2024, potash was not considered a critical mineral.
Which Country Exports the Most Potash?
The most recent data from 2022 shows Canada exported 21.3 million tons of potash, accounting for 46% of the world’s total exports.
Which Industry Uses the Most Potash?
The fertilizer industry accounted for about 85% of U.S. potash sales in 2023.
The Bottom Line
In 2023, Canada, Russia, Belarus, and China led the world's potash production. Potash is mainly used in fertilizers to support food sources. No substitutes for potassium exist as an essential nutritional requirement for animals and humans.