Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃)

Description

Product Overview
Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃) is a high-purity, white crystalline salt serving as a non-chloride potassium and nitrogen source for premium fertilizers, heat treatment salts, and specialty glass clarification. Its primary industrial use spans controlled-environment agriculture (fertigation and foliar sprays) and solar thermal energy storage (molten salts). The key value proposition is delivering both essential macronutrients (13% N – 13.5% NO₃⁻, 46% K₂O) without harmful chloride, enabling higher crop yields and corrosion-free industrial processes. Strategically, KNO₃ is irreplaceable as global regulations tighten on chloride-sensitive crops and renewable thermal storage scales up.

Competitive Advantage Spotlight
Guaranteed >99.8% purity with ≤0.02% chloride, double-antioxidant anti-caking coating, and ISO 22000-certified bagging. Delivered just-in-time from three continent-based hubs, we offer the industry’s lowest total cost of ownership by eliminating rework and nozzle clogging.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: KNO₃ (Potassium Nitrate) – min 99.8% dry basis

• Purity Grade: Technical grade / Agricultural premium grade (chloride-free)

• Physical Form: Free-flowing white crystalline powder (optional granular)

• Particle Size: 0.2–0.8 mm (98% passing 20 mesh) or custom cut

• Density: Bulk density ~1.05 g/cm³ (loose), tapped ~1.25 g/cm³

• pH (1% solution): 6.5 – 7.5 (neutral)

• Packaging Options: 25 kg PE-lined woven bags, 1000 kg jumbo bags, 20 MT bulk liner in container

• Shelf Life: 36 months in original unopened packaging, dry <40°C storage

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Precision Agriculture (Greenhouses & open field): Used in drip irrigation and foliar feeding for tomatoes, citrus, potatoes, and strawberries – outperforms SOP and MOP by eliminating chloride toxicity, increasing fruit solids (Brix) by 8–12%, and preventing blossom-end rot.

• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): As a key component of solar salt (60% NaNO₃, 40% KNO₃), it enables stable thermal storage at 290–565°C – superior thermal stability (no decomposition) versus alternative nitrate blends.

• Heat Treatment & Metal Tempering: Acts as a martempering bath salt providing uniform heating without oxidation – longer bath life (3× vs. sodium-based salts) due to lower hygroscopicity.

• Glass & Enamel Manufacturing: Oxidizing agent for optical glass clarification – eliminates bubble defects more effectively than arsenic-based fining agents.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Multi-stage recrystallization + real-time NIR scanning ensures lot-to-lot CV <0.5% (industry average ~2%).

• Supply reliability: Dual-sourcing from nitrate mines in Chile and chemical synthesis plants in Jordan – 24/7 logistics with buffer stock in Rotterdam, Houston, and Shanghai.

• Logistics capability: Pre-certified for direct container loading (20 MT per 20’ dry container) with VCI corrosion-protected liner bags.

• Price competitiveness: Cost-plus fixed margin model – spot pricing indexed to MOP and nitric acid (transparent formula available on request).

• Sustainability: Zero liquid discharge production; 98% water recycling and byproduct ammonium chloride sold for animal feed.

• Technical support: Free monthly ICP-OES certificates, SDS in 14 languages, and 30-min engineering response SLA.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Bulk – 20 metric tons (one full 20’ container equivalent)

• Loading capacity: 20 MT per 20’ dry container (standard) or 25 MT per 20’ with high-density jumbo bags (engineering approval required)