Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Potassium Sulfate (K₂SO₄, CAS 7778-80-5, MW 174.26) is a chloride-free potassium salt used in pharmaceutical formulations as an electrolyte replenisher and in industrial applications as a premium fertilizer component. China is the world’s largest producer of potassium sulfate, with annual output exceeding 8 million metric tons from both mineral extraction (Qinghai salt lake resources) and Mannheim process facilities across multiple provinces. This scale enables competitive manufacturer-direct supply of both technical and pharma-grade K₂SO₄.
In pharmaceutical contexts, potassium sulfate serves as a source of potassium ions in electrolyte replacement formulations and as a component in bowel preparation solutions. Its chloride-free nature makes it suitable for applications where chloride interference must be avoided. Industrial applications include high-value crop fertilization (tobacco, fruits, vegetables), glass manufacturing, and alum production. Chinese producers offer multiple purity grades from agricultural to USP-compliant pharmaceutical quality.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Production sites hold ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and China quality certifications. Quality testing includes assay (gravimetric), chloride content, heavy metals, iron, sodium, arsenic, and loss on drying determinations. Pharma-grade product meets USP/NF, EP, and ChP monograph requirements. Salt lake extraction facilities employ solar evaporation, flotation, and crystallization processes that yield high-purity potassium sulfate with minimal environmental impact.
Mannheim process facilities use controlled reaction of potassium chloride with sulfuric acid, followed by washing and recrystallization to achieve pharma-grade purity. Process monitoring includes temperature control, acid dosing rates, and crystallization parameters. Every batch undergoes full analytical testing before release, with retained samples stored for the product shelf life.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 7778-80-5 |
| Molecular Formula | K₂SO₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 174.26 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay | ≥99.0% |
| Chloride | ≤0.02% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Iron | ≤10 ppm |
| Loss on Drying | ≤1.0% |
| Pharmacopoeial Compliance | USP/NF, EP, ChP |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Potassium sulfate is packed in 25 kg or 50 kg PE-lined woven bags, palletized for container loading. Bulk supply in 1,000 kg jumbo bags is available for industrial orders. Lead time is 7–10 business days. Shipments depart from Tianjin, Qingdao, and Shanghai ports under FOB, CIF, or DDP terms.
Export documentation includes CoA, SDS, phytosanitary certificate (where required), and commercial shipping documents. Non-hazardous classification simplifies customs clearance and reduces shipping costs compared to chloride-containing potassium salts.
China Supply Advantage
China’s unique Qinghai salt lake potash resources provide a cost-effective raw material base that enables K₂SO₄ pricing 30–50% below production costs in potash-importing countries. The combination of mineral extraction and Mannheim process capacity ensures year-round supply reliability. Chinese potassium sulfate producers serve agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers in over 80 countries with consistent quality and professional export logistics support.