Potassium fertilizers
Potassium Hydroxide 90% KOH — Caustic Potash for Fertilizer & Industrial Alkali
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Indicative price
USD 410–500 / MT
Indicative range — firm quote on request.
Key parameters
Quick contact
Full product details
Product overview
Potassium hydroxide (KOH, caustic potash) is a strong inorganic alkali that sits at the intersection of fertilizer chemistry and industrial manufacturing. In the potassium sector it is the reagent of choice for producing chloride-free soluble salts — potassium phosphates, potassium carbonate and liquid potassium formulations used in greenhouse fertigation and specialty NPK blending. At 90% KOH the solid flake grade delivers 68% K₂O equivalent, far higher than finished fertilizer products and without the chloride burden of MOP.
Beyond agriculture, caustic potash serves biodiesel transesterification, saponification in detergent plants, food-grade pH adjustment and nickel-cadmium battery electrolyte production. Export buyers span soluble-fertilizer compounders in India and Turkey, oleochemical processors in Southeast Asia and chemical distributors supplying MENA industrial parks.
Supply routes include integrated chlor-alkali complexes on the Black Sea and Central Asian electrolysis plants with flake solidification lines. Chloride is held below 0.05% and iron at 20 ppm maximum — critical for downstream phosphoric-acid neutralisation where metal contamination would discolour finished potassium phosphate crystals.
Full specification
| KOH (solid flakes) | 90% min |
| KOH (liquid solution) | 48% min (on request) |
| K₂O equivalent (solid) | 68% min |
| Chloride (Cl) | 0.05% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 20 ppm max |
| Carbonate (K₂CO₃) | 1.0% max |
| Sulphate (SO₄) | 0.01% max |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | 10 ppm max |
| Appearance (solid) | White deliquescent flakes or pellets |
| HS code | 2815.20 |
Loading ports & logistics
Solid KOH flakes are classified as corrosive (Class 8) under IMDG. Moisture control during loading is essential — deliquescence begins on contact with humid air and generates heat as the product dissolves in absorbed water.
FOB bagged export from Black Sea and MENA chemical terminals. Standard lot sizes: 24 MT per 20-foot container (25 kg bags, palletised) or 100–500 MT bulk bag (FIBC) parcels on coaster vessels. Liquid 48% KOH ships in dedicated ISO tanks (21–24 MT) with stainless-steel linings and heating capability for cold-climate discharge.
CFR/CIF to South Asia (Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chittagong), East Africa (Mombasa) and Mediterranean industrial ports with corrosive-cargo handling licences. Vessel classes from 1,000 MT multipurpose to 3,000 MT chemical tankers for liquid grades.
Typical lead time 12–25 days from contract to loading window, subject to flake-line availability and UN-certified packaging stock for bagged consignments.
Packaging & documentation
Solid: 25 kg PE-lined PP woven bags, palletised and stretch-wrapped; or 1,000 kg UN-certified FIBC with moisture barrier liner. Liquid: dedicated stainless ISO tank with heating jacket, sealed and pressure-tested before dispatch.
Each shipment includes mill certificate of analysis (COA), commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. IMDG dangerous-goods declaration, SDS per GHS and corrosive-cargo stowage plan are provided for all consignments. Food-grade and technical-grade certificates available where destination regulations distinguish purity tiers. Third-party inspection at loading (SGS, Bureau Veritas) can be arranged for LC-backed or first-time contracts.
FAQ
When should buyers choose solid KOH flakes over liquid caustic potash?
Solid 90% flakes suit bagged container export and buyers who dilute on site to working concentration. Liquid 48% KOH reduces handling risk at the destination and is preferred for continuous-process fertilizer and biodiesel plants with dedicated stainless-steel dosing lines.
Why do soluble fertilizer plants use KOH instead of potassium chloride?
KOH neutralises phosphoric or organic acids to produce chloride-free potassium salts such as potassium phosphate and potassium citrate. MOP introduces chloride that is undesirable in greenhouse fertigation and specialty soluble blends for chloride-sensitive crops.
How should potassium hydroxide be stored after discharge?
KOH is strongly hygroscopic — it absorbs atmospheric moisture and cakes within hours of exposure. Store sealed in original PE-lined bags or under nitrogen in dry warehouses below 30°C. Liquid grades require heated stainless tanks; never use aluminium fittings or carbon steel without passivation.
Related products
- Potassium Nitrate — chloride-free soluble N+K for fertigation and foliar
- Mono Potassium Phosphate (MKP) — water-soluble P+K produced via KOH neutralisation routes
- Potassium Sulphate (SOP) — finished chloride-free potash for field and horticulture