POTASH 



Uses. Potash is a term that means potassium oxide but it is used widely to denote several other 

 potassium salts as well. It is an essential ingredient of fertilizers and about 94 per cent of the potash used 

 in the United States is for agricultural purposes. The remaining 6 per cent is consumed by the chemical 

 industry. The major potash-chemical-consuming industries include detergents and soap, glass and 

 ceramics, textiles and dyes, and chemicals and drugs. 



Present levels of utilization of potash materials in short tons. 



World 13,371 (potassium content) 



United States 3,320 (potassium content) 



Range of demand projections to the year 2000. 



Prospective supplies and prices. United States potash reserves are estimated to be about 400 million 

 tons or more than 100 years of supply at the present rate of consumption. World reserves, chiefly in 

 Canada, Germany, and the U.S.S.R., are more than 60 billion tons, or several thousand years supply at 

 the present rate of consumption. However, the deposits are not evenly distributed throughout the world 

 and many countries must import all their requirements. 



Prices for potassium compounds are quoted on the short-ton unit (1 per cent, or 20 pounds KjO 

 per ton) and f.o.b. the mine. Bulk prices for New Mexico standard grade muriate (potassium chloride), 

 60 per cent KjO minimum, in the crop year 1963-1964 ranged from 35 to 40 cents per unit for standard 

 grade. At present an oversupply of potash exists and prices are below normal. A small increase may be 

 expected about 1974 or 1975, but not above the 1965 price of about 36 cents per unit KjO for standard 

 grade muriate. No further significant price increases are anticipated through 1985. 



Possible substitute materials. There is no substitute for potassium compounds in agriculture. They are 

 not only necessary for plant growth but regulate the intake by plants of the other minerals and elements 

 needed for normal plant growth. Some sodium compounds might be used in place of potassium 

 compounds in certain chemical appUcations if the need arose. 



Potential from marine sources. During World War I the United States became desperately short of 

 potash and plants were set up to obtain it from about a dozen uncommon sources, one of which was 

 seaweed.^ ^ 



The CaUfornia kelp (Macrocystis) reportedly supplied up to 10 per cent of U.S. requirements from 

 190,000 tons harvested between 1916 and 1920." Kelp, upon drying, loses 75 to 85 per cent of its 



R. W. Lewis, "Potassium," in Mineral Facts and Problems, Bureau of Mines BuU. No. 630, 1965. 

 ^^Department of the Interior, U.S.G.S. Yearbook, 1916 to 1920. 



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