Molten Salt Heat Transfer Fluid (NaNO2/NaNO3 for CSP Solar)

SQM (Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile; NYSE/Santiago: SQM; ~$10.5B market cap 2025; HQ Santiago, Chile) produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate alongside lithium carbonate from the Salar de Atacama. SQM's Antofagasta chemical plant converts brine-derived lithium chloride concentrate to both Li2CO3 and LiOH·H2O for export. SQM is the world's largest single producer of lithium chemicals by volume. SQM's LiOH is produced via a causticization route (Li2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 → 2LiOH + CaCO3) rather than the direct spodumene route used by hard-rock converters. Battery-grade LiOH requires >56.5% LiOH content, low impurities (Na <0.005%, Fe <0.001%). In May 2024, SQM signed a public-private partnership with Codelco giving the Chilean state 50%+1 from 2025 to 2060. SQM produced 201,000 MT LCE total in 2024; LiOH accounted for a growing share as NMC-811 adoption accelerated. Source: SQM Annual Report 2023.

Largest global exporter of potassium nitrate (~30% market share). Produces 454,000 MT/yr combined at Mishor Rotem (Negev Desert) and Haifa port facilities. Also produces liquid fertilizers and calcium nitrate. EU Annex II explosive precursor obligations apply to all KNO3 shipments.

One of China's leading sodium nitrite producers; dominant market position alongside other Shandong-based chemical companies. China produces ~60% of Asian sodium nitrite supply (Asia Pacific = 75.8% of global market); China overall ~53% of global sodium nitrite production. Shandong province is a major Chinese chemical manufacturing hub. Shandong Haihua is cited as one of the two dominant global players (alongside BASF) in the sodium nitrite market. Also produces chlor-alkali chemicals, soda ash, and ammonium compounds.

World's largest ammonia distributor via Yara Clean Ammonia; >15% global ammonia market share. Produces and trades ~17-18M MT of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers annually. Revenue $13.9B in 2024. Plants across Norway (Herøya/Porsgrunn: 500,000 MT/yr), Germany (Brunsbüttel: 800,000 MT/yr), Australia (Pilbara: 850,000 MT/yr, ~5% of world merchant ammonia supply), and 15+ other countries. Also the world's largest multi-nutrient fertilizer producer in Western Europe. Pivoting to green ammonia: started Europe's largest electrolyzer at Herøya (Norway) in 2024 for renewable hydrogen/ammonia. Yara Clean Ammonia is positioning to supply ammonia as marine fuel.

Chilean natural sodium nitrate (NaNO3) miner from Atacama Desert caliche ore. One of Chile's last active natural nitrate operations alongside SQM. Produces natural sodium nitrate (caliche nitrate) for specialty markets including CSP solar salt, glass, food preservation, and fertilizer. Atacama caliche ore is the world's only commercial natural nitrate deposit; Chile once supplied 60%+ of world nitrogen fertilizer before Haber-Bosch process displaced it.

India's dominant sodium nitrite and nitrate manufacturer; ~80% market share in India for sodium nitrite. Plants at Nandesari and Dahej (Gujarat), Taloja and Roha (Maharashtra), and Hyderabad (Telangana). Sodium nitrite is Deepak's core product alongside nitrotoluenes, fuel additives, and phenolics. India's largest sodium nitrite producer for pharmaceuticals, agro-chemicals, and food processing. Capex plan: ₹2,000 crore earmarked for FY2024-25. Growing beneficiary of 'China+1' supply chain diversification trends as global buyers seek non-Chinese sodium nitrite sources.

Chinese sodium nitrite and nitrate chemical manufacturer; listed as a key global market player in sodium nitrite. Representative of the dozens of Chinese chemical companies producing sodium nitrite, contributing to China's ~53% global market dominance in sodium nitrite production. Focus on industrial and food-grade sodium nitrite/nitrate.