We are one of the world's leading producers of Lithium Carbonate and Hydroxide, with a presence on five continents.
OUR VALUE PROPOSAL
At the Salar de Atacama, brine is extracted and concentrated in evaporation ponds, taking advantage of the Salar de Atacama's climatic conditions and high levels of solar radiation. This allows SQM Litio's production process to involve a 97.4% solar energy, allowing us to produce high-quality, high-purity lithium.
CHILE AND LITHIUM
The history of SQM and lithium begins in 1996 when the company began to produce potassium nitrate, made from sodium nitrate and potassium chloride.
Sodium nitrate was obtained in large quantities from the caliche that abounds in the Atacama Desert. However, potassium chloride was not produced in Chile and was purchased abroad, with Canada being the largest supplier.
The urgent need to have their own potassium chloride supply source led SQM's top executives to begin exploring the local market, where the solution finally lay in the Salar de Atacama, in northern Chile.
LEADERSHIP
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of direct CO2 emissions are generated by transport according to the International Energy Agency.
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jobs generated by SQM in Chile and its commercial offices around the world.
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They are the Atacameño communities of the Salar de Atacama with which we co-create and develop various projects.
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reduction in fresh water consumption will be completed by 2040.
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It is the year that we will become a carbon neutral company.
OUR PROJECTS
Learn about our projects and the contract Corfo which establishes rental rates and preferential prices for local producers, contributions to R&D and development of communities surrounding the operation.