Potash (/ˈpɒtæʃ/ POT-ash) are mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. The term potash derives from pot ash, either plant ashes or wood ashes that were soaked in water in a pot, which was the primary means of manufacturing potash before the Industrial Era; the word potassium derives from the term potash.
In 2021, the worldwide production of potash exceeded 71.9 million tonnes (~45.4 million tonnes K2O equivalent) , and Canada is the greatest producer of potash as fertilizer. Potassium was first derived in 1807 by electrolysis of caustic potash (potassium hydroxide).
