The Potash Revolution: A Breakthrough for Organic Farming

ICL Potash has achieved a significant milestone: approval from the European regulator for use in organic farming, in compliance with the EU 2018/848. This stringent framework ensures that only products aligned with organic principles, criteria, and objectives receive authorization. Guided by the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production, a panel of independent experts, the European Commission has given the green light for potash to be used in organic food production—a testament to its efficacy and safety.

The Power of Potassium: Fueling Crop Growth

Potassium (K) stands tall among the trio of essential plant nutrients, alongside nitrogen and phosphorus. The most common form of potassium used in agriculture is potassium chloride fertilizer (KCl), also known as potash, which has a K₂O content of around 60%. Approximately 95% of potash produced worldwide finds its purpose in agriculture. There’s no substitute for potassium compounds in agriculture.

Harnessing Nature’s Bounty: Potassium in Organic Farming

Potash (KCl) is the essence of crop production, ensuring robust yields and healthy plants. However, organic farming has faced limitations when it comes to available potassium sources. Organic products and by-products of plant and animal origin do contain potassium, but their K₂O content is low, typically between 1% and 10%. Modern agriculture usually requires additional potassium for optimum crop yield and quality, but before now, only crude potassium salts were allowed in organic farming. While already recognized as a fertilizer under Regulation EU 2019/1009, potash had yet to receive organic authorization (as outlined in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2021/1165). Now, following the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) report, ICL’s potash fertilizers have joined the league of organic-approved fertilizers, empowering farmers to nourish their fields sustainably with high-quality fertilizers that have a high potassium content.

From Ancient Seas to Organic Fields: Potash’s Journey

Potash originates from ancient, evaporated seas and lakes, forming mineral deposits deep within the Earth’s crust or in natural brines like those found in the Dead Sea. ICL’s potash is a premium source of potassium, manufactured at our environmentally friendly production sites. The unique Dead Sea facility produces potash through natural evaporation, ensuring high-quality fertilizers with a significantly lower carbon footprint than alternatives. Additionally, ICL responsibly mines potash in Spain, where we employ sustainable mining practices. Whether sourced from our mines or sea brines, ICL potash undergoes minimal processing, using physical methods like flotation and crystallization to maintain its natural integrity. In recognition of the purity of potash, the EGTOP group designated potash a ‘natural source,’ paving the way for organic farming approval.

ICL: Pioneering Organic Potash

ICL has been a global producer of high-quality potash fertilizer for over 70 years. Our commitment to organic farming drove this collaborative task between R&D, regulation, marketing, and sales teams to successfully secure organic certification for ICL Potash from the leading European agencies, including FiBL and ECOCERT. The result? ICL’s potash passed the rigorous reviews and is now approved as an input for organic farming under European regulation EU 2018/848.

A Boost for Organic Farmers: Nourishing Fields Sustainably

Driven by growing consumer demand, increased awareness of environmental sustainability, and supportive government policies, organic farming continues to gain momentum across Europe. Organic agriculture is rooted in natural processes and substances, placing a high priority on soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance. ICL’s approved potash now provides organic farmers with a reliable source of premium potassium. Growers can nourish their crops with the vital potassium their crops need, ensuring robust growth, yield, and quality, confident they are maintaining their organic certification integrity.

A Gateway to the Future: ICL’s Sustainable Vision

ICL’s organic potash isn’t just a product—it’s a gateway to the future of organic farming. With the EU aiming for 25% of total agricultural land to be organic by 2030 (currently at 7.7%), ICL stands at the forefront. Our commitment to sustainability and adherence to organic standards positions us as pioneers. The new organic approval for ICL potash expands our organic portfolio, offering farmers an environmentally friendly, effective solution for nourishing their fields.

Pioneering Sustainable Solutions

ICL is pioneering sustainable solutions across agriculture, extending beyond organic certification. We are actively reducing our fertilizers’ carbon footprint (CFP) by optimizing production processes and promoting efficient application methods in farmers’ fields. ICL collaborates with external agencies to calculate and display the carbon footprint of our fertilizers with a dedicated logo, emphasizing transparency and environmental stewardship. Moreover, ICL innovates with nutrient solutions that enhance soil health, boost crop resilience, and minimize environmental impact. Recent products such as our new biostimulants line, eqo.x (a new controlled-release fertilizer with a biodegradable coating), and NovaHumic (water-soluble fertilizers enriched with humic acids) highlight our commitment to sustainable practices. This comprehensive approach underscores ICL’s dedication to sustainability, ensuring our fertilizers contribute positively to the health of our planet and the future of farming.