Potassium nitrate from the Dead Sea

Haifa Chemicals was established in 1966 specifically for the production of potassium nitrate. That production takes place entirely in Israel. Over the years, the company’s annual production has increased to 0.5 million tonnes of potassium nitrate. That’s 21,000 full lorries, or a row of lorries from Amsterdam to Paris!

Haifa Chemicals was established in 1966 specifically for the production of potassium nitrate. That production takes place entirely in Israel. Over the years, the company’s annual production has increased to 0.5 million tonnes of potassium nitrate. That’s 21,000 full lorries, or a row of lorries from Amsterdam to Paris!

The basic substance for the production of potassium nitrate is potassium chloride (KCl), which is extracted from the water of the Dead Sea. The water is evaporated in large basins, causing the potassium chloride to precipitate. Large ships dredge the potassium chloride from the bases of those basins, after which it is purified in our factory.
The next step is to separate the potassium from the chlorine and bind nitrate to it by adding nitric acid. Haifa produces that nitric acid itself.

So nitric acid (HNO3) is mixed with potassium chloride (KCl) to form potassium nitrate (KNO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Potassium nitrate is sold in different purities. In the Netherlands, that’s mostly GG, i.e. Greenhouse Grade: KNO3 that is extremely suitable for recycling.

Potassium is an essential nutrient element for regulating the moisture tension in plants. This property makes potassium very popular for boosting the quality of the fruit of fruit crops. It ensures a good cell tension in the fruit and a crop of healthy, firm fruit.