SO4 produces first organic Sulphate of Potash at its Western Australian facility

Press Release (Prague, Czech Republic, July 23. 2024)

The company SO4, a Sev.en Global Investments subsidiary, has reached a significant milestone in developing organic sulphate of potash (SOP) in Australia and is tracking well towards full commercial operation. After years of effort and development, the company successfully produced its very first high-quality SOP in its Lake Way facility.

The project has been conceived and developed in Western Australia for over seven years. Sev.en Global Investments acquired the SO4 company in October 2022 and has subsequently made significant investments in all aspects of the production process, including the installation of new flotation units in the process plant which has been fundamental to successfully managing the diverse feedstock from the pond network.

The process plant remains in the commissioning phase, but the production of SOP "Prime High K Standard” (53% K2O and <1.0% chloride) after years of effort, represents a significant proof of the operating ability of the system.

Mark Sykes, Australian Country Manager for Sev.en Global Investments, commented:

“This important step confirms the capability of the SO4 team to conceptualise, design, construct, and operate the SOP mining and production facilities and achieve world-class SOP quality parameters. We are proud of the entire team, who have demonstrated a high level of commitment and endurance to reach a key milestone.”

Using solar evaporation ponds to harvest the potassium rich salts, SO4 has made a major advancement in the sustainable production of SOP.

The project has faced and overcome several complex challenges, and Sev.en GI is looking forward to bringing it to full production and establishing itself in the market to supply Australian agriculture and global markets with high-quality sustainable fertilizer, suitable for use in organic farming.

Alan Svoboda, CEO of Sev.en Global Investments observed that:

„SO4 has laid the foundation for success as a major Australian and global organic SOP producer. Having reached the first high quality product, we have accomplished an important phase in our investment mission. Now we will eagerly support full scale

commercial operations, at the same time we are open to consider opportunities for engagement with long-term strategic players, who could fully leverage the market-leading organic nature of the premium SOP product and maximize the global market reach. “

Once the development phase is completed, SO4 is designed to produce more than 200,000 tons of premium SOP annually and become a significant Australian and global supplier of market-leading organic potassium-based fertilizers.

About Sulphate of Potash

SOP (K2SO4) is primarily used as a fertilizer delivering potassium, one of the three primary nutrients essential for plant growth. It is the second most widely used potassic fertilizer, after Muriate of Potash (MOP).

Compared to MOP, SOP is a premium product, delivering superior results when used on plants that are intolerant to, or with a low tolerance for chloride - and is specifically applicable to cash crops such as fruits and vegetables, as well as in arid areas or areas with saline soils.

With the area of arable land per capita reducing over time and ever-increasing pressure to improve global agricultural yields, we are excited about the strength of the market fundamentals for SOP and look forward to playing our role in increasing the supply of this vital nutrient to the premium agricultural industry.

Media Contact:

Veronika Diamantová
e-mail
+420 775 299 337