Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE: SQM) is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals and minerals headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The company focuses on the extraction and processing of key inputs for the agricultural, industrial and high‐tech sectors. Its core business activities include the mining of lithium, potassium and iodine, as well as the manufacture of value‐added products derived from these raw materials.
SQM’s product portfolio spans lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems; potassium chloride and potassium nitrate fertilizers designed for precision agriculture; and iodine and its derivatives for pharmaceutical, food and electronics applications. The company also produces specialty plant nutrients and industrial nitrates, supporting global food production and various manufacturing processes.
Founded in 1968 as a state‐owned venture under Chile’s Development Agency (CORFO) and privatized in the early 1980s, SQM operates major production facilities at the Salar de Atacama and other sites in northern Chile. Its products serve customers in North America, Europe, Asia and beyond, supported by regional offices and distribution networks. SQM continues to invest in sustainable practices, research partnerships and expansions to meet growing demand for clean‐energy materials and agricultural inputs.