Iodine and Iodine Derivatives
The leaching of caliche ore at the Pedro de Valdivia, María Elena, Nueva Victoria, Iris and Pampa Blanca facilities generates the solutions that are used to produce iodine.
These solutions are rich in nitrates, and they also contain iodine in the form of iodate. Part of the iodate in the solution is reduced to iodide. The resulting iodide is combined with the rest of untreated iodate solution to release elemental iodine.
The solid iodine is concentrated, then refined, melted and prilled. SQM holds patents in Chile and in the United States for its iodine prilling process.
In the past 30 years, SQM´s continuous search of opportunities and constant innovation have allowed the Company to position itself as the leading producing of iodine in the world. SQM has iodide and iodine production plants in several locations in the north of Chile, thus assuring a reliable and consistent supply.
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