Global agricultural products company Nutrien is looking to build a $500 million to $1 billion potash export operation at the Port of Longview.

But what exactly is potash? At its most basic level, potash is salts that contain potassium in a form that can be dissolved into water.

Why is that last bit important? Because alongside nitrogen and phosphorus, plants need potassium to grow.

Long history

Potash was crucial for economies long before it assumed its present role keeping the world’s industrial agriculture systems afloat.

It was the subject of the first U.S. patent — signed by George Washington himself in 1790 — and fueled Europe’s industrial revolution as a key part of how people made soap, glass, ceramics, gunpowder and even bread.

At that time, potash was manufactured through bu

See Full Page