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4.0
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. operates within the basic materials and natural resources sector, specifically in the mining and fertilizer and chemical production subsector, with its ADRs traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker SQM. The corporate structure originates in Chile, with founders linked to the administration of the former state-owned nitrate mining company, initially motivated by the extraction of mineral resources in the Atacama Desert and the production of chemical compounds and fertilizers demanded by the global agricultural market.
The product and service portfolio includes nitrates, organic nitrates, nitrogen-based fertilizers, potassium and potassium chloride, industrial chemical compounds, lithium and lithium derivatives, as well as inputs for agriculture and soil nutrition. Operations also encompass mineral extraction, chemical processing, international commercialization, and global logistics for distribution.
The company serves an international market, exporting to agricultural and industrial sectors across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Sales target agricultural producers, chemical manufacturers, crop nutrition companies, and industrial consumers requiring fertilizers, minerals, and chemical compounds that meet international regulatory standards.
Key market factors include fluctuations in agricultural and mineral commodity prices, global demand for fertilizers and strategic metals, environmental and export regulatory regimes, competition with major global fertilizer and mineral producers, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices affecting product mix and demand. Currency volatility and logistical costs also influence margins and competitiveness.
Operational scale includes multiple mining sites and processing facilities in Chile, industrial-scale production of chemical and fertilizer inputs, exports to dozens of countries, and a large base of corporate and agricultural clients. The company maintains production, storage, and transportation infrastructure that supports high production and export volumes.
The operational structure includes headquarters in Chile, mining units primarily located in the Atacama Desert, chemical processing plants, logistics and export hubs, and divisions dedicated to mining, chemicals, commercial operations, international distribution, and regulatory compliance. Logistics operations include maritime transport, port storage, and a global supply chain.
The operating model integrates mining, chemical production, fertilizer and mineral manufacturing, international logistics services, global commercialization, and export management. Long-term contracts with agricultural buyers, industrial partnerships, and market diversification are key elements of the operational strategy. The primary trading ticker is SQM, listed on the NYSE.
History and Foundation
The company was founded in 1968 in Chile, when the government consolidated nitrate and mineral mining assets to establish a state-owned enterprise that was later privatized. The initial motivation was to develop mineral resources in the Atacama Desert—particularly nitrate, potassium, and chemical compounds—to supply the fertilizer and agricultural industries.During its early years, the company faced challenges related to adapting technology for processing local minerals, establishing transportation logistics from remote desert regions, and building infrastructure for production and export. Initial achievements included stabilizing production, commissioning chemical plants, and beginning exports to international markets.
The expansion and growth phase involved broadening the production base, diversifying products—including potassium, nitrogen fertilizers, and chemical compounds—and entering new international markets. Investments in technology and increased production capacity were instrumental in meeting rising global demand for fertilizers and minerals.
Notable milestones include the company’s privatization in the early 1980s, followed by corporate restructuring and international expansion. The listing of ADRs on the NYSE under the ticker SQM also marked an important step in the internationalization of its shareholder base and access to foreign capital.
Between 2020 and 2024, the company faced fluctuations in commodity prices, currency volatility, and heightened global environmental regulatory pressures. Operational adjustments, revisions to export contracts, product portfolio updates, and risk-mitigation strategies were implemented, allowing mining and chemical production activities to continue under volatile market conditions.
Additional Information
The Company Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA ADR B (United States), is listed on Nasdaq with a market value of $ 17.52 Billions, having an equity of $ 5.53 Billions.
The Company is listedthe in the sector of Others and categorized in industry of Others.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 4.33 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 524.50 Millions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 33.40, a P/BV ratio of 3.17 and in the last 12 months the Company did not pay dividends.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker SQM.
