UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

FORM 20-F 

(Mark One)

OR

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172020

OR

for the transition period from                      to

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report                    

Commission file number 33-65728

SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

CHEMICAL AND MINING COMPANY OF CHILE INC.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

CHILE

(Jurisdiction of incorporation)

El Trovador 4285, 6^th floor, Santiago, Chile +56 2 2425 2000

(Address of principal executive offices)

Gerardo Illanes +56 2 2425-2485, gerardo.illanes@sqm.com, El Trovador 4285, 6^th floor, Santiago, Chile

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the ActAct:

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the ActAct:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital stock or common stock as of the close of business covered by the annual report.  

Series A Common Shares  142,819,552

Series B Common Shares  120,376,972

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨o

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.     Yes  ¨o    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x   No  ¨o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted, electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  x    No  ¨o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x         Accelerated filer  ¨o           Non-accelerated filer  ¨o           Emerging growth company  ¨o

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨o

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  ¨o    Item 18  ¨o

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨o    No  x

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital stock or common stock as of the close of business covered by the annual report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, except as otherwise provided or unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” “Company” or “SQM” are to Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A., an open stock corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

All references to “$,” “US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “USD” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “pesos,” “CLP” and “Ch$” are to Chilean pesos, references to ThUS$ are to thousands of United States dollars, references to ThCh$ are to thousands of Chilean pesos and references to “UF” are toUnidades de Fomento. The UF is an inflation-indexed, peso-denominated unit that is linked to, and adjusted daily to reflect changes in, the previous month’s Chilean consumer price index. As of December 31, 2017,2020, UF 1.00 was equivalent to US$43.5940.89 and Ch$26,798.1429,066.58 according to the Chilean Central Bank (Banco Central de Chile). As of April 18, 2018,March 1, 2021, UF 1.00 was equivalent to US$45.3934.11 and Ch$26,983.06.29,294.68.

The Republic of Chile is governed by a democratic government, organized in fourteenfifteen regions plus the Metropolitan Region (surrounding and including Santiago, the capital of Chile). Our production operations are concentrated in northern Chile, specifically in the Tarapacá Region and in the Antofagasta Region.

We use the metric system of weights and measures in calculating our operating and other data. The United States equivalent units of the most common metric units used by us are as shown below:

1 kilometer equals approximately 0.6214 miles

1 meter equals approximately 3.2808 feet

1 centimeter equals approximately 0.3937 inches

1 hectare equals approximately 2.4710 acres

1 metric ton (“MT” or “metric ton”) equals 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,205 pounds.

We are not aware of any independent, authoritative source of information regarding sizes, growth rates or market shares for most of our markets. Accordingly, the market size, market growth rate and market share estimates contained herein have been developed by us using internal and external sources and reflect our best current estimates. These estimates have not been confirmed by independent sources.

Percentages and certain amounts contained herein have been rounded for ease of presentation. Any discrepancies in any figure between totals and the sums of the amounts presented are due to rounding.

GLOSSARY

“assay values” Chemical result or mineral component amount contained by the sample.

“average global metallurgical recoveries” Percentage that measures the metallurgical treatment effectiveness based on the quantitative relationship between the initial product contained in the mine-extracted material and the final product produced in the plant.

“average mining exploitation factor” Index or ratio that measures the mineral exploitation effectiveness, based on the quantitative relationship between (in-situ mineral minus exploitation losses) / in-situ mineral.

“CAGR” Compound annual growth rate, the year over year growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time.

“cash and cash equivalents” The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) defines cash and cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

“Controller Group” * A person or company or group of persons or companies that according to Chilean law, have executed a joint performance agreement, that have a direct or indirect share in a company’s ownership and have the power to influence the decisions of the company’s management.

“Corfo” Production Development Corporation (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción), formed in 1939, a Chilean national organization in charge of promoting Chile’s manufacturing productivity and commercial development.

“CMF” The Chilean Commission for the Financial Market Commission. (La Comisión para el Mercado Financiero), formerly known as the Superintendence of Securities and Insurance (Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros or SVS).

“cut-off grade” The minimal assay value or chemical amount of some mineral component above which exploitation is economical.

“dilution” Loss of mineral grade because of contamination with barren material (or waste) incorporated in some exploited ore mineral.

“exploitation losses” Amounts of ore mineral that have not been extracted in accordance with exploitation designs.

“fertigation” The process by which plant nutrients are applied to the ground using an irrigation system.

“geostatistical analysis” Statistical tools applied to mining planning, geology and geochemical data that allow estimation of averages, grades and quantities of mineral resources and reserves.

“heap leaching” A process whereby minerals are leached from a heap, or pad, of ROM (run of mine) ore by leaching solutions percolating down through the heap and collected from a sloping, impermeable liner below the pad.

“horizontal layering” Rock mass (stratiform seam) with generally uniform thickness that conform to the sedimentary fields (mineralized and horizontal rock in these cases).

“hypothetical resources” Mineral resources that have limited geochemical reconnaissance, based mainly on geological data and samplessample assay values spaced between 500–1000 meters.

“Indicated Mineral Resource” See “Resources—Indicated Mineral Resource.”

“Inferred Mineral Resource” See “Resources—Inferred Mineral Resource.”

“industrial crops” Refers to crops that require processing after harvest in order to be ready for consumption or sale. Tobacco, tea and seed crops are examples of industrial crops.

“Kriging Method”A technique used to estimate ore reserves, in which the spatial distribution of continuous geophysical variables is estimated using control points where values are known.

“LIBOR” London Inter Bank Offered Rate.

“limited reconnaissance” Low or limited level of geological knowledge.

“Measured Mineral Resource” See “Resources—Measured Mineral Resource.”

“metallurgical treatment” A set of chemical and physical processes applied to the caliche ore and to the salar brines to extract their useful minerals (or metals).

“ore depth” Depth of the mineral that may be economically exploited.

“ore type” Main mineral having economic value contained in the caliche ore (sodium nitrate or iodine).

“ore” A mineral or rock from which a substance having economic value may be extracted.

“Probable Mineral Reserve” See “Reserves—Probable Mineral Reserve.”

“Proven Mineral Reserve” See “Reserves—Proven Mineral Reserve.”

“Reserves—Probable Mineral Reserve” ** The economically mineable part of an Indicated Mineral Resource and, in some circumstances, Measured Mineral Resource. The calculation of the reserves includes diluting of materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which may include feasibility studies, have been carried out and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified. A Probable Mineral Reserve has a lower level of confidence than a Proven Mineral Reserve.

“Reserves—Proven Mineral Reserve” ** The economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. The calculation of the reserves includes diluting of materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which may include feasibility studies, have been carried out and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified.

“Resources—Indicated Mineral Resource” ** The part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable level of confidence. The calculation is based on detailed exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate sampling techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches and exploratory drill holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological continuity and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource, but has a higher level of confidence than that applying to an Inferred Mineral Resource.

A deposit may be classified as an Indicated Mineral Resource when the nature, quality, amount and distribution of data are such as to allow the Competent Person, as that term is defined under Chilean Law NumberNo. 20,235, determining the Mineral Resource to confidently interpret the geological framework and to assume continuity of mineralization. Confidence in the estimate is sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters and to enable an evaluation of economic viability.

“Resources—Inferred Mineral Resource” ** The part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence, by inferring them on the basis of geological evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. The estimate is based on information gathered through appropriate sampling techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes, and this information is of limited or uncertain quality and/or reliability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource.

“Resources—Measured Mineral Resource” ** The part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. The estimate is based on detailed exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate sampling techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches and exploratory drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and/or grade continuity.

A deposit may be classified as a Measured Mineral Resource when the nature, quality, amount and distribution of data are such as to leave no reasonable doubt, in the opinion of the Competent Person, as that term is defined under Chilean Law NumberNo. 20,235, determining the Mineral Resource, that the tonnage and grade of the deposit can be estimated within close limits and that any variation from the estimate would not significantly affect potential economic viability. This category requires a high level of confidence in, and understanding of, the geology and controls of the mineral deposit. Confidence in the estimate is sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters and to enable an evaluation of economic viability.

“Resources—Mineral Resource” ** A concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the Earth’s crust in such form or quantity and of such grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economically viable extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological, metallurgical and technological evidence.

“solar salts” A mixture of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate used in the storage of thermo-energy.

“vat leaching” A process whereby minerals are extracted from crushed ore by placing the ore in large vats containing leaching solutions.

“waste” Rock or mineral which is not economical for metallurgical treatment.

“Weighted average age” The sum of the product of the age of each fixed asset at a given facility and its current gross book value as of December 31, 20172020 divided by the total gross book value of the Company’s fixed assets at such facility as of December 31, 2017.2020.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 20-F contains statements that are or may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not based on historical facts and reflect our expectations for future events and results. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “could” or similar expressions may identify forward-looking information. These statements appear throughout this Form 20-F and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management, including but not limited to any statements concerning:

Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements included in this Form 20-F, including, without limitation, the information under Item 4. Information on the Company, Item Number 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

Summary of Risk Factors

Risks Relating to our Business

Risks Relating to Financial Markets

Risks Relating to Chile

General Risks

PART I

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable.applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

3.A.     Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected financial data as

Omitted at the Company’s option pursuant to amendments to Item 3.A of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and other financial information included herein.Form 20-F effective February 10, 2021.

EXCHANGE RATES

Chile has two currency markets, the Formal Exchange Market (Mercado Cambiario Formal) in which we conduct our transactions, and the Informal Exchange Market (Mercado Cambiario Informal). The Formal Exchange Market comprises banks and other entities authorized by the Chilean Central Bank. The Informal Exchange Market comprises entities that are not expressly authorized to operate in the Formal Exchange Market, such as certain foreign exchange houses and travel agencies, among others. The Chilean Central Bank is empowered to determine that certain purchases and sales of foreign currencies be carried out on the Formal Exchange Market.

Both the Formal Exchange Market and the Informal Exchange Market are driven by free market forces. Current regulations require that the Chilean Central Bank be informed of certain transactions and that these transactions be effected through the Formal Exchange Market.

The Observed Exchange Rate (dólar observado), which is reported by the Chilean Central Bank and published daily in the Chilean newspapers, is computed by taking the weighted average of the previous business day’s transactions on the Formal Exchange Market. The Chilean Central Bank has the power to intervene by buying or selling foreign currency on the Formal Exchange Market to attempt to maintain the Observed Exchange Rate within a desired range. During the past few years the Chilean Central Bank has intervened to attempt to maintain the Observed Exchange Rate within a certain range only under special circumstances. Although the Chilean Central Bank is not required to purchase or sell U.S. dollars at any specific exchange rate, it generally uses spot rates for its transactions. Other banks generally carry out authorized transactions at spot rates as well.

The Informal Exchange Market reflects transactions carried out at an informal exchange rate (the “Informal Exchange Rate”). There are no limits imposed on the extent to which the Informal Exchange Rate can fluctuate above or below the Observed Exchange Rate. In recent years, the variations between the Observed Exchange Rate and the Informal Exchange Rate have not been significant.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

The U.S. dollar is our functional currency. However, unless otherwise indicated, any amounts translated into U.S. dollars from Chilean pesos were translated using the Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2017, which was Ch$614.75 per US$1.00. As of April 18, 2018 the Observed Exchange Rate was US$1.00 per Ch$595.82.

Source: Central Bank of Chile

3.B.     Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

3.C.     Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

3.D.     Risk Factors

Our operations are subject to certain risk factors that may affect SQM’s business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. In addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, you should carefully consider the risks described below. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not currently known to us or that are known but that we currently believe are not significant may also affect our business operations. Our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected by any of these risks.

Risks Relating to our Business

We could be subjectOur inability to numerous risks in Chile as a result of investigations byextend or renew the Chilean Internal Revenue Service and the Chilean Public Prosecutor in relation to certain payments made by SQM between the tax years 2009 and 2015

The SII has conducted investigations related to the payment of invoices by SQM and its subsidiaries, SQM Salar S.A. (“SQM Salar”) and SQM Industrial S.A., for services that may not have been properly supported or that may not have been necessary to generate corporate income. The Chilean Public Prosecutor also has conducted related inquiries to determine whether such payments may be linked with alleged violations by SQM, these subsidiaries and public officials of political contribution or anti-corruption laws.

On February 26, 2015, SQM’s Board of Directors resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee of the Board of Directors (the “ad-hoc Committee”) authorized to conduct an internal investigation relating to the issues that were the subject of the SII and the Chilean Public Prosecutor investigations and to retain such independent external advice as it deemed appropriate. The original members of the ad-hoc Committee were former Board members José María Eyzaguirre B., Juan Antonio Guzmán M. and Wolf von Appen B.

The ad-hoc Committee engaged its own lawyers from Chile and the U.S. and forensic accountants from the U.S. to assist with its internal review. The U.S. lawyers retained by the ad-hoc Committee were principally charged with reviewing the relevant facts and analyzing those facts against the requirements of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The factual findings of the ad-hoc Committee, however, were ultimately shared with Chilean as well as U.S. authorities.

On March 12, 2015, José María Eyzaguirre B. resigned from the ad-hoc Committee and his position was subsequently filled by former Board member Hernán Büchi B.

On March 16, 2015, the Board of Directors decided to terminate the employment contract of the Company’s then- CEO, Patricio Contesse G. This followed his failure to cooperate with the ad-hoc Committee’s investigation.

On March 17, 2015, three members of the Board of Directors resigned, all of whom had been nominated by Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (“PCS”), which was one of SQM’s two principal shareholder groups at such time. PCS merged with Agrium Inc. on January 1, 2018, forming Nutrien Ltd. (“Nutrien”), which is currently the owner of 32% of the total outstanding shares of SQM. PCS issued a press release stating that the directors resigned because of their concern that they could not ensure that the Company was conducting an appropriate investigation and collaborating effectively with the Chilean Public Prosecutor.

On March 20, 2015, the Company identified to the SII approximately US$11 million in payments of invoices that may not have been properly supported by services rendered or that may not qualify as tax expenses under the Chilean tax code. These payments originated from the office of the former CEO, Patricio Contesse G., during the six-year tax period from 2009 to 2014. As a result, the Company subsequently submitted amendments to its tax returns for the 2009 to 2014 tax years and thereafter paid taxes and interest relating to such amended returns totaling approximately US$7 million. On April 24, 2015, the Company announced that it had identified up to an additional US$2 million in payments by its subsidiary SQM Salar during the same six-year tax period that were also authorized by the former CEO and that may be deemed not properly supported by services rendered or that may not qualify as tax expenses under the Chilean tax code. Subsequently, SQM Salar filed amended tax returns and paid taxes and interest relating to such amended returns totaling approximately US$1.2 million. On August 14, 2015, the Company announced that it had identified to the SII approximately US$1.6 million in additional payments by SQM S.A. and its subsidiary SQM Industrial S.A. that may be deemed not properly supported by services rendered or that may not qualify as tax expenses under the Chilean tax code. SQM S.A. and SQM Industrial S.A. subsequently filed amended tax returns and, in early 2016, SQM Industrial S.A. paid taxes and interest relating to such amended returns totaling approximately US$0.3 million, and SQM S.A. paid taxes and interest relating to such amended returns totaling approximately US$1.3 million. The statute of limitations under Chilean law for tax claims is up to six years, during which period the former CEO had an annual discretionary budget covering the Company and its subsidiaries of approximately US$6 million.

On March 23, 2015, the SII, based on the Income Tax Law (Ley de Impuesto a La Renta), filed a criminal claim against the Company’s former CEO and the current CEO and CFO in their capacities as the Company’s tax representatives relating to part of the payments referred to above. This and subsequent related similar claims filed by the SII against these officers and third parties are currently under review by the Chilean Public Prosecutor.

On March 31, 2015, the CMF filed an administrative claim against five then-current and former members of the Board of Directors, alleging that they did not release information in a timely manner relating to the payments that are subject to the tax claim referred to above. On September 30, 2015, the CMF proceeded to fine them UF1,000 each (approximately US$36,000). They are currently appealing this decision to the Chilean courts.

On April 24, 2015, new members were elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting, including three new members that were nominated by PCS, and the ad-hoc Committee was subsequently reconstituted by Board of Directors members Robert A. Kirkpatrick, Wolf von Appen B. and Edward J. Waitzer.

On April 30, 2015, the Chilean Public Prosecutor, after reviewing the claims filed by the SII, informed the Company’s former CEO that it was formally investigating allegations that he approved the payment of invoices that may not be properly supported by services rendered or that may not qualify as tax expenses under the Chilean tax code and in connection therewith made intentionally false or incomplete declarations or used fraudulent procedures designed to conceal or disguise the true amount of transactions or to circumvent taxes. If he is finally adjudicated responsible, the Company may also be subject to the payment of a fine by the Chilean Criminal Court totaling 50% to 300% of the taxes paid. The Company estimates that no provision is needed at this stage.

On May 11, 2015, the SII filed an additional criminal claim against the former CEO and the current CEO and CFO in their capacities as the Company’s tax representatives alleging violations of the Chilean Inheritance and Donations Law (Ley sobre Impuesto a Las Herencias, Asignaciones y Donaciones). The claim states that the Company paid two invoices in 2009 and 2010 totaling approximately US$175,000 that are alleged to have been improperly supported. The claim states that these payments should have been classified as donations, and appropriate taxes should have been paid. These payments were accounted for in the amended tax returns filed with the SII. Subsequently, the SII filed a number of additional claims against these officers and third parties alleging violations of Chilean tax law and the Chilean Inheritance and Donations Law. The most recent of these criminal claims was filed by the SII on March 9, 2016. All of these claims are under review by the Chilean Public Prosecutor.

On September 29, 2015, the Company was notified of a labor lawsuit by its former CEO, Patricio Contesse, claiming payment from the Company related to the termination of his employment contract. The total amount claimed in the lawsuit is approximately Ch$4.0 billion (approximately US$5.7 million), including severance payments for years of service and other legal or contractual payments. The lower court held that Mr. Contesse’s claim was barred by the statute of limitations. On November 8, 2016, the Santiago Court of Appeals overruled the lower court decision. On March 27, 2017, the Company reached an agreement with Mr. Contesse to terminate the labor lawsuit Mr. Contesse filed against the Company. The amount included in the agreement was provisioned for in the financial statements as of December 31, 2016.

On October 14, 2015, two class action complaints then pending against the Company, our former CEO and current CEO and CFO, alleging violations of the U.S. securities laws in connection with the subject matter of the investigations described above, were consolidated into a single action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  On November, 13, 2015, our former CEO and current CEO and CFO were voluntarily dismissed from the case without prejudice.  On January 15, 2016, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated class action complaint exclusively against the Company. On January 10, 2018, the lead plaintiff filed a motion to certify a class consisting of all persons who purchased SQM ADSs between June 30, 2010 and March 18, 2015. For more information on the consolidated class action, see “Item 8.A.7 Legal Proceedings.”

During 2015, the ad-hoc Committee that was established in February 15, 2015, conducted an investigation into whether the Company faced possible liability under the FCPA. The ad-hoc Committee engaged its own separate counsel, Shearman & Sterling LLP, which presented a report to the Board of Directors on December 15, 2015.

Following the presentation by the ad-hoc Committee of its findings to the Board of Directors, the Company voluntarily shared the findings of the ad-hoc Committee investigation with authorities in Chile and the U.S. (including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”)).

On January 13, 2017, the Company and the DOJ reached agreement on the terms of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”) that would resolve the DOJ’s inquiry, based on alleged violations of the books and records and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Among other terms, the DPA called for the Company to pay a monetary penalty of US$15,487,500, and engage a compliance monitor for a term of two (2) years. Upon successful completion of the three (3) year term of the DPA, all charges against the Company will be dismissed. On the same date, the SEC agreed to resolve its inquiry through an administrative cease and desist order, arising out of the alleged violations of the same accounting provisions of the FCPA. Among other terms, the SEC order called for the Company to pay an additional monetary penalty of US$15 million. These penalties were reflected in the 2016 financial statements.

On January 26, 2018, the 8^th Court of Santiago approved a deferred prosecution agreement proposed by the Chilean Public Prosecutor relating to SQM and its subsidiaries SQM Salar and SQM Nitratos S.A., to suspend an investigation against these entities related to potential corruption issues and responsibility for the lack of supervision and management. Under the deferred prosecution agreement, SQM, SQM Salar and SQM Nitratos S.A., have not admitted responsibility in the matter subject to the investigation but agreed to pay an aggregate amount of (i) Ch$900,000,000 to the Chilean government, and (ii) Ch$1,650,000,000 to various charitable organizations. As of January 26, 2018, these amounts were equivalent to approximately US$1.5 million and US$2.8 million, respectively, and were accrued in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for 2017. In addition, the companies have agreed to provide the Chilean Public Prosecutor with a report on the enhancements to their compliance program, implemented in recent years, with special emphasis on the incorporation of best practices in various jurisdictions. See “Item 8.A.7 Legal Proceedings.”

In the event that the applicable regulatory authorities believe that the terms of the DPA or the deferred prosecution agreement with the Chilean Public Prosecutor are not complied with, it is possible that such regulatory authorities may reinstate the suspended proceedings against us and may bring further action against us, including in the form of additional inquiries or legal proceedings. Responding to our regulators’ inquiries and any future civil, criminal or regulatory inquiries or proceedings diverts our management’s attention from day-to-day operations. Additionally, expenses that may arise from responding to such inquiries or proceedings, our review of responsive materials, any related litigation or other associated activities may continue to be significant. Current and former employees, officers and directors may seek indemnification, advancement or reimbursement of expenses from us, including attorneys’ fees, with respect to the current inquiry or future proceedings related to this matter. The occurrence of any of the foregoing or adverse determination in litigation or other proceedings or similar actions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and the prices of our securities.

The failure to amend the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreementmineral exploitation rights relating to the Salar de Atacama concession, upon which our business is substantially dependent, beyond their current expiration date in December 2030 could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operationsoperations.

Our subsidiary SQM Salar S.A. (“SQM Salar”), as leaseholder, holds exclusive and temporary rights over theto exploit mineral resources in an area covering approximately 140,000 hectares of land in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile, of which SQM Salar is entitled to exploit the mineral resources in 81,920 hectares.Chile. These rights are owned by Corfo, a Chilean government entity, and leased to SQM Salar pursuant to (i) a 1993 lease agreement over mining exploitation concessions between SQM Salar and Corfo, a Chilean government entityas amended from time to time (the “Lease Agreement”), and (ii) the Salar de Atacama project agreement between Corfo and SQM Salar, as amended from time to time (the “Project Agreement”). Corfo may not unilaterally amend the Lease Agreement or the Project Agreement. The Lease Agreement establishes thatprovides for SQM Salar is responsible for makingto (i) make quarterly lease payments to Corfo maintainingbased on product sales from leased mining properties and annual contributions to research and development, to local communities, to the Antofagasta Regional Government and to the municipalities of San Pedro de Atacama, María Elena and Antofagasta, (ii) maintain Corfo’s rights over the mining exploitation concessions and making(iii) make annual payments to the Chilean government for such concession rights. The Lease Agreement expires on December 31, 2030. Furthermore,

Our business is substantially dependent on the exploitation rights under the regulationsLease Agreement and the Project Agreement, since all of our products originating from the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (Comisión ChilenaSalar de Energía Nuclear or “CCHEN”), we were limited to 180,100 tons of total lithium metallic equivalent (958,672 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent)Atacama are derived from our extraction inoperations under the aggregate for all periods.Lease Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2020, revenues related to products originating from the Salar de Atacama represented 47%33% of our consolidated revenues, consisting of revenues from our potassium business line and our lithium and derivatives business line for the period. All of our products originating from the Salar de Atacama are derived from our extraction operations under the Lease Agreement. As of December 31, 2017,2020, only 1310 years remain on the term of the Lease Agreement and we had extracted approximately 64%28% of the total permitted accumulated extraction and sales limit of lithium.lithium under the lithium extraction and sales limits.

On January 17, 2018,Although we expect to begin the process of discussing the extension or renewal of the mineral exploitation rights in the Salar de Atacama under the Lease Agreement and Project Agreement with Corfo and our subsidiaries SQM Potasio S.A. and SQM Salar reachedwell in advance of the December 2030 expiration date, we cannot assure you that we will successfully reach an agreement (the “Corfo Arbitration Agreement”)with Corfo to (i) terminateextend or renew our mineral exploitation rights beyond 2030. Any negotiation with Corfo for an extension or renewal could involve renegotiation of any or all of the previously disclosed arbitration proceedings between Corfoterms and SQM Salar, which, among other things, sought early terminationconditions of the Lease Agreement and (ii) amend the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement. As part of the agreement to amend the Lease Agreement, Corfo authorized an increase of the production and sales of lithium products produced in the Salar de Atacama up to 349,553 metric tons of lithium metallic equivalent (1,860,670 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent), which is in addition to the approximately 64,816 metric tons of lithium metallic equivalent (345,015 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent) remaining from the originally authorized amount. The amendments of the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement, required under Chilean Law the issuance of the applicable resolutions of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) and the CCHEN.

On February 15, 2018 and February 16, 2018, the Atacamenos Indigenous Organization (Consejo de Pueblos Atacamenos) initiated legal actions challenging the amendments of the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement. The legal actions are pending before the Santiago Court of Appeals. See “Item 8.A.7 Legal Proceedings.”

On March 8, 2018, the CCHEN published its authorization for the increase in the quota of the amount of lithium that may be extracted from the Salar de Atacama concession for all periods for which there are increases under the proposed Lease Agreement amendment with Corfo. In addition, the authorization by the CCHEN provides that the amendments to the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement may be revoked if any person or entity acquires control or a significant influence (influencia decisiva) over SQM without prior antitrust approval. SQM has challenged the CCHEN authorization with the objective of eliminating such provision. SQM believes that its challenge will not affect the validity of the Corfo Arbitration Agreement or the amendments to the Lease Agreement or the Project Agreement. However, there can be no assurance that SQM will prevail in eliminating such provision and in the event such provision is not eliminated, there could be no assurance that the amendments to the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement will not be revoked upon violation of such provisions. In addition, the adoption of the CCHEN authorization is currently being challenged by the Atacamenos Indigenous Organization (Consejo de Pueblos Atacamenos), which challenge, if successful, may result in the revocation of CCHEN authorization.

On April 10, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) issued a resolution approving the amendments of the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement.

In addition, in connection with the Corfo Arbitration Agreement, on December 18, 2017, the companies that are part of the Pampa Group entered into an agreement for the benefit of Corfo (the “Pampa Group Agreement”), which,including, among other things, provides for: (i) the termination oflithium and potassium extraction and sales limits, the Joint Operation Agreement,lease payment rates and (ii) an agreementcalculations, or other payments to not enter into any joint action with third parties that allows Pampa Group to acquire the status of sole controller or joint controller, as defined by article 97 of the Chilean Securities Market Law. The obligations set forth in clause (ii) expire on December 31, 2030. In addition, the Pampa Group Agreement also includes numerous provisions relating to corporate governance and control. The effectiveness of the obligations of the parties to the Pampa Group Agreement is subject to the execution of the amendments of the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement and the obtainment of all approvals under Chilean Law. See “Item 8.A.7 Legal Proceedings.” Neither SQM nor any of its subsidiaries, including SQM Potasio S.A. and SQM Salar, is a party to the Pampa Group Agreement.Corfo.

In the event that we are not able to extend or renew the Lease Agreement is not amended as contemplated bybeyond the Corfo Arbitration Agreement, or the CCHEN authorization for the increased extraction is revoked according to its terms, there can be no assurance that we will not reach the lithium extraction limit referred to above prior to thecurrent expiration of the termdate of the Lease Agreement. In such event,Agreement in 2030, we would then be unable to continue extraction of lithium and potassium under the Lease Agreement, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our market reputation, commercial dealings or the price of our securities could be adversely affected by the negative outcome of certain proceedings against certain former members of our Board and certain other named defendants

On September 10, 2013, the CMF issued a press release disclosing it had instituted certain administrative proceedings (the “Cascading Companies Proceedings”) against (i) Julio Ponce Lerou (who was the Chairman of the Board and a director of the Company until April 24, 2015), (ii) Patricio Contesse Fica, who was a director of the Company until April 24, 2015 and is the son of Patricio Contesse González (who was the Company’s CEO until March 16, 2015), and (iii) other named defendants. The Company has been informed that Mr. Ponce and persons related to him beneficially owned 29.97% of SQM’s total shares as of December 31, 2017. See “Item 6.E. Share Ownership.” The CMF alleged breaches of Chilean corporate and securities laws in connection with acts performed by entities with direct or indirect share ownership interests in SQM (the “Cascading Companies”). The allegations made in connection with the Cascading Companies Proceedings do not relate to the Company’s operations, nor do they relate to any acts or omissions of the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees in their capacities as such.

In connection with the Cascading Companies Proceedings, the CMF alleged the existence of a scheme involving the named defendants whereby, through a number of transactions occurring between 2009 and 2011, the Cascading Companies allegedly sold securities of various companies, including securities of SQM, at below-market prices to companies related to Mr. Ponce and other named defendants. These companies allegedly subsequently sold such securities after a lapse of time, in most cases back to the Cascading Companies, at prices higher than the purchase price. The CMF alleged violations by the defendants of a number of Chilean corporate and securities laws in furtherance of the alleged scheme.

On January 31, 2014, the CMF added a number of Chilean financial institutions and asset managers, and certain of their controlling persons, executives or other principals, as named defendants to the Cascading Companies Proceedings. On September 2, 2014, the CMF issued a decision imposing an aggregate fine against all of the defendants of UF 4.0 million (approximately US$174 million as of December 31, 2017), including a fine against Mr. Ponce of UF 1.7 million (approximately US$74 million as of December 31, 2017) and a fine against Mr. Contesse Fica of UF 60,000 (approximately US$2.6 million as of December 31, 2017). The defendants are currently challenging the CMF administrative decision before Chilean courts.

The High Complexity Crimes Unit (Unidad de Delitos de Alta Complejidad) of the Metropolitan District Central Northern Attorney’s Office (Fiscalía Metropolitana Centro Norte) is also investigating various criminal complaints filed against various parties to the Cascading Companies Proceedings. The SII requested payment of taxes by the Cascading Companies, and the Cascading Companies filed a complaint with the tax courts.

If, for any reason, the Company is unable to differentiate itself from the named defendants, such failure could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s market reputation and commercial dealings. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that a non-appealable ruling in connection with the Cascading Companies Proceedings or the investigations of the High Complexity Crimes Unit or the SII that is adverse to Mr. Ponce or Mr. Contesse Fica will not have a material adverse effect on our market reputation, commercial dealings and the price of our securities, or that the Cascading Companies will not sell shares of the Company or vote to increase the dividends we pay to our shareholders.

We identified a material weakness in our internal controls over payments directed by the office of the former Chief Executive Officer

In the past, our management determined that the Company did not maintain effective control over payments directed by the office of the former CEO. This determination was reported in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2014 on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on May 18, 2015.

We believe we have taken the necessary steps to remediate the identified material weakness and enhance our internal controls. However, any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could (i) result in a material misstatement in our financial reporting or financial statements that would not be prevented or detected, (ii) cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations under applicable securities laws or (iii) cause investors to lose confidence in our financial reporting or financial statements, the occurrence of any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and the prices of our securities.

Volatility of world lithium, fertilizer and other chemical prices and changes in production capacities could affect our business, financial condition and results of operationsoperations.

The prices of our products are determined principally by world prices, which, in some cases, have been subject to substantial volatility in recent years. World lithium, fertilizer and other chemical prices constantly vary depending upon the relationship between supply and demand at any given time. Supply and demand dynamics for our products are tied to a certain extent to global economic cycles and have been impacted by circumstances related to such cycles. Furthermore, the supply of lithium, certain fertilizers, or other chemical products, including certain products that we provide, varies principally depending on the production of the major producers, (including us) and their respective business strategies.

World prices of potassium-based fertilizers (including some of our specialty plant nutrients and potassium chloride) fluctuated as a result of the broader global economic and financial conditions. During the second half of 2013, potassium prices declined as a result of an unexpected announcement made by the Russian company Uralkali (“Uralkali”) that it was terminating its participation in Belarus Potash Corporation (“BPC”). As a result of the termination of Uralkali’s participation in BPC, there was increased price competition in the market. The average price for our potassium chloride and potassium sulfate business line was approximately 7% higher in 2017 compared to 2016. Our sales volumes for this business line were approximately 12% lower in 2017 compared to 2016. We cannot assure you that potassium-based fertilizer prices and sales volumes will not decline in the future.

Iodine prices followed an upward trend beginning at the end of 2008 and continuing through 2012, reaching an average price of approximately US$53 per kilogram in 2012, over 40% higher than average prices in 2011. During the following years, supply growth outpaced demand growth, causing a decline in iodine prices. We obtained an average price for iodine of approximately US$20 per kilogram in 2017, approximately 12% less than average prices obtained in 2016. We cannot assure you that iodine prices or sales volumes will not continue to decline in the future.

Driven mostly by an increase in demand related to battery use, lithium demand growth in 2016 was accompanied by an increase in supply that was lower than expected, and as a result, average prices for this business line increased approximately 80% compared to 2015. In 2017, lithium demand continued to grow creating tight market conditions and increasing prices by 25% compared to 2016. We cannot assure you that lithium prices and sales volumes will not decline in the future.

We expect that prices for the products we manufacture will continue to be influenced, among other things, by worldwide supply and demand and the business strategies of major producers. Some of the major producers (including us) have increased or decreased production and have the ability to increase or decrease production.

Since we sell our products worldwide, with Asia, Europe and North America constituting our main markets, border closures, decrease in commercial activity and difficulties and disruptions in the supply chains in the markets in which we operate as a result of COVID-19 could materially affect our business. We believe the impact on demand growth in the markets in which we sell our products, our sales volumes and our average prices will depend on the duration of COVID-19 in the various regions in which we operate, the efficiency of the measures implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 in each country and relevant fiscal incentives that may be implemented in such jurisdictions to promote economic recovery. Most, if not all, of these factors are currently evolving on a rapid basis and we are currently unable to predict with certainty the full potential magnitude of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on forecasts of market demand or our estimates of our sales volumes and average sale prices.

As a result of the above, the prices of our products may be subject to substantial volatility. High volatility or a substantial decline in the prices or sales volumes of one or more of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our sales to emerging markets and expansion strategy expose us to risks related to economic conditions and trends in those countriescountries.

We sell our products in more than 110than110 countries around the world. In 2017,2020, approximately 42%44% of our sales were made in emerging market countries: 11%8% in Latin America (excluding Chile); 9%12% in Africa and the Middle East (excluding Israel); 7%9% in Chile and 15%14% in Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore). In Note 23.1 to our consolidated financial statements, we reported revenues from Chile, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and others of US$1.0 billion. We expect to expand our sales in these and other emerging markets in the future. In addition, we may carry out acquisitions or joint ventures in jurisdictions in which we currently do not operate, relating to any of our businesses or to new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. The results of our operations and our prospects in other countries in which we establish operations will depend, in part, on the general level of political stability, and economic activity and policies in those countries.countries as well as the duration of COVID-19 in the various regions in which we operate, the efficiency of the measures implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 in each country and relevant fiscal incentives that may be implemented in such jurisdictions to promote economic recovery. Future developments in the political systems or economies of these countries or the implementation of future governmental policies in those countries, including the imposition of withholding and other taxes, restrictions on the payment of dividends or repatriation of capital, the imposition of import duties or other restrictions, the imposition of new environmental regulations or price controls or changes in relevant laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations in those countries.

Our inventory levels may increasevary for economic or operational reasonsreasons.

In general, economic conditions or operational factors can affect our inventory levels. Higher inventories carry a financial risk due to increased need for cash to fund working capital and could imply an increased risk of loss of product. We cannot assure youAt the same time, lower levels of inventory can hinder the distribution network and process, thus impacting sales volumes. There can be no assurance that inventory levels will not continue to remain high or increase further in the future.stable. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our measures to minimize our exposure to bad debt may not be effective and a significant increase in our accounts receivable coupled with the financial condition of customers may result in losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations

Potentially negative effects of global economic conditions on the financial condition of our customers may include the extension of the payment terms of our accounts receivable and may increase our exposure to bad debt. While we have implemented certain safeguards, such as using credit insurance, letters of credit and prepayment for a portion of sales, to minimize the risk, we cannot assure you that such safeguards will be effective and a significant increase in our accounts receivable coupled with the financial condition of customers may result in losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

New production of iodine, potassium nitrate or lithium carbonate from current or new competitors in the markets in which we operate could adversely affect pricesprices.

In recent years, new and existing competitors have increased the supply of iodine, potassium nitrate and lithium, carbonate, which has affected prices for boththose products. Further production increases could negatively impact prices. There is limited information on the status of new iodine, potassium nitrate or lithium carbonate production capacity expansion projects being developed by current and potential competitors and, as such, we cannot make accurate projections regarding the capacities of possible new entrants into the market and the dates on which they could become operational. If these potential projects are completed in the short term, they could adversely affect market prices and our market share, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have a capital expenditure program that is subject to significant risks and uncertaintiesuncertainties.

Our business is capital intensive. Specifically, the exploration and exploitation of reserves, mining and processing costs, the maintenance of machinery and equipment and compliance with applicable laws and regulations require substantial capital expenditures. We must continue to invest capital to maintain or to increase our exploitation levels and the amount of finished products we produce. For example, we have a US$1.9 billion investment plan for the years 2021-2024. The plan will allow us to expand our operations of lithium, iodine and nitrate by accessing natural resources both in the Salar de Atacama and caliche ore deposits in Chile as well as through the 50,0000 metric ton Mt. Holland lithium hydroxide project in Western Australia (a joint venture that we are developing with our partner Wesfarmers). The plan also aims to increase our mining capacity while protecting the environment, reduce operational costs and increase our annual production capacity of nitrates and iodine to meet expected growth in those markets.

Mining industry development projects typically require a number of years and significant expenditures before production can begin. Such projects could experience unexpected problems and delays during development, construction and start-up.

Our decision to develop a project typically is based on the results of feasibility studies, which estimate the anticipated economic returns of a project. The actual project profitability or economic feasibility may differ from such estimates as a result of any of the following factors, among others: changes in tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of ore or other raw materials to be mined and processed; estimated future prices of the relevant products; changes in customer demand; higher construction and infrastructure costs; the quality of the data on which engineering assumptions were made; higher production costs; adverse geotechnical conditions; availability of adequate labor force; availability and cost of water and energy; availability and cost of transportation; fluctuations in inflation and currency exchange rates; availability and terms of financing; and potential delays relating to social and community issues.

In addition, we require environmental permits for our new projects. Obtaining permits in certain cases may cause significant delays in the execution and implementation of new projects and, consequently, may require us to reassess the related risks and economic incentives.

This may require modifying our operations to incorporate the use of seawater and updating our mining equipment and operational centers.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our production levels or generate sufficient cash flow, that the proposed US$1.1 billion capital increase approved by our shareholders on January 22, 2021 will be successful or that we will have access to sufficient investments, loans or other financing alternatives, to continue our activities at or above present levels, or that we will be able to implement our projects or receive the necessary permits required for them in time. If the capital increase is not successful, it may affect our ability to grow and maintain our leading world position in the lithium, potassium nitrate, iodine and thermo-solar salts markets. Any or all of these factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

High raw materials and energy prices could increase our production costs and cost of sales, and energy may become unavailable at any priceprice.

We rely on certain raw materials and various energy sources (diesel, electricity, liquefied natural gas, fuel oil and others) to manufacture our products. Purchases of energy and raw materials we do not produce constitute an important part of our cost of sales, approximately 14%16% in 2017.2020. In addition, we may not be able to obtain energy at any price if supplies are curtailed or otherwise become unavailable. To the extent we are unable to pass on increases in the prices of energy and raw materials to our customers or we are unable to obtain energy, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our reservesreserve estimates are internally prepared and not subject to review by external geologists or an external auditing firm and could be subject to significant changes, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operationsoperations.

Our caliche ore mining reservesreserve estimates and our Salar de Atacama brine mining reserve estimates are prepared by our own geologists and hydrogeologists and are not subject to reviewauthentication by external geologists or an external auditing firm. However, our reserve estimates in the Salar de Atacama were reviewed by qualified persons and this information is presented to Corfo. In the past, our reserve estimates in the Salar de Atacama were also reviewed by the Superior Council for Scientific Investigations (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) or CSIC, and this information was presented to CCHEN. Estimation methods involve numerous uncertainties as to the quantity and quality of the reserves, and reserve estimates could change upwards or downwards. A downward change in the quantityour estimates and/or quality of our reserves could affect future volumes and costs of production and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Quality standards in markets in which we sell our products could become stricter over time

In the markets in which we do business, customers may impose quality standards on our products and/or governments may enact stricter regulations for the distribution and/or use of our products. As a result, if we cannot meet such new standards or regulations, we may not be able to sell our products. In addition, our cost of production may increase in order to meet any such newly imposed or enacted standards or regulations. Failure to sell our products in one or more markets or to important customers could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chemical and physical properties of our products could adversely affect their commercializationcommercialization.

Since our products are derived from natural resources, they contain inorganic impurities that may not meet certain customer or government standards. As a result, we may not be able to sell our products if we cannot meet such requirements. In addition, our cost of production may increase in order to meet such standards. Failure to meet such standards could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations if we are unable to sell our products in one or more markets or to important customers in such markets.

Our business is subject to many operating and other risks for which we may not be fully covered under our insurance policies

Our facilities and business operations in Chile and abroad are insured against losses, damage or other risks by insurance policies that are standard for the industry and that would reasonably be expected to be sufficient by prudent and experienced persons engaged in businesses similar to ours.

We may be subject to certain events that may not be covered under our insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, as a result of major earthquakes and unexpected rains and flooding in Chile, as well as other natural disasters worldwide, conditions in the insurance market have changed and may continue to change in the future, and as a result, we may face higher premiums and reduced coverage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in technology or other developments could result in preferences for substitute productsproducts.

Our products, particularly iodine, lithium and their derivatives, are preferred raw materials for certain industrial applications, such as rechargeable batteries and liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). Changes in technology, the development of substitute raw materialsproducts or other developments could adversely affect demand for these and other products which we produce. In addition, other alternatives to our products may become more economically attractive as global commodity prices shift. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are exposed to labor strikes and labor liabilities that could impact our production levels and costscosts.

Over 95%92% of our employees are employed in Chile, of which approximately 64%67% were represented by 2220 labor unions as of December 31, 2017.2020. As of JulyDecember 31, 2017 we2020, 13 collective bargaining agreements had been renegotiated collective labor contracts with three unions. As a result, all collective labor contracts werein advance, leaving the remaining seven to be renegotiated for the next three years as of that date. From November 2017, we started a new cycle of the individual labor contract negotiations.during 2021. We are exposed to labor strikes and illegal work stoppages by both our own employees and our independent contractors’ employees that could impact our production levels.levels in both our own plants and our independent contractors’ plants. If a strike or illegal work stoppage occurs and continues for a sustained period of time, we could be faced with increased costs and even disruption in our product flow that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chilean Law No. 20,123, known

We are and might be subject to new and upcoming labor laws and regulations in Chile and may be exposed to liabilities and potential costs for non-compliance.

We are subject to recently enacted and might be subject to new local labor laws and regulations that govern, among other things, the relationship between us and our employees and will be subject to new labor bills currently under discussion in the national congress, mainly as the Subcontracting Law, provides that when a serious workplace accident occurs, the company in chargeresult of the workplace must haltimpact of the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as to the economic and political volatility and civil unrest in Chile beginning in October and November 2019. There have been changes and proposed changes to various labor laws which include, but are not limited to, modifications related to teleworking, inclusion of workers with disabilities, minimum wage, unemployment insurance benefits, employee and employer relationships, pensions, profit sharing, regular work at the site where the accident took place until authorities from either the National Geologyhours and Mining Service (Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería or “Sernageomin”), the Labor Board (Dirección del Trabajo or “Labor Board”), or the National Health Service (Servicio Nacional de Salud), inspect the site and prescribe the measures such company must takeother matters related to minimize the risk of similar accidents taking place in the future. Work may not be resumed until the applicable company has taken the prescribed measures, and the period of time before work may be resumed may last for a number of hours, days, or longer. The effects of this lawCOVID-19.

Any changes to regulations to which we are subject could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On September 8, 2016, Chilean Law No. 20,940 was published and modified the Labor Code by introducing, among other things, changes to the formation of trade unions, the election of inter-company union delegates, the presence of women on union boards, anti-union practices and related sanctions, and collective negotiations. Due to these changes to the labor regulations, we may face an increase in our expenses that may have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lawsuits and arbitrations could adversely impact usus.

We are party to a range of lawsuits and arbitrations involving different matters as described in Note 19.1 of22.1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and “Item 8.A. Legal Proceedings.” Although we intend to defend our positions vigorously, our defense of these actions may not be successful and responding to such lawsuits and arbitrations diverts our management’s attention from day-to-day operations. Adverse judgments or settlements in these lawsuits may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our strategy of being a world leader includes entering into commercial and production alliances, joint ventures and acquisitions to improve our global competitive position. As these operations increase in complexity and are carried out in different jurisdictions, we may be subject to legal proceedings that, if settled against us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have operations in multiple jurisdictions with differing regulatory, tax and other regimesregimes.

We operate in multiple jurisdictions with complex regulatory environments that are subject to different interpretations by companies and respective governmental authorities. These jurisdictions may have different tax codes, environmental regulations, labor codes and legal framework, which adds complexity to our compliance with these regulations. Any failure to comply with such regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental laws and regulations could expose us to higher costs, liabilities, claims and failure to meet current and future production targetstargets.

Our operations in Chile are subject to national and local regulations relating to environmental protection. In accordance with such regulations, we are required to conduct environmental impact studies or statements before we conduct any new projects or activities or significant modifications of existing projects that could impact the environment or the health of people in the surrounding areas. We are also required to obtain an environmental license for certain projects and activities. The Chilean Environmental Evaluation Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental or “Environmental Evaluation Service”) evaluates environmental impact studies submitted for its approval. The public, government agencies or local authorities may review and challenge projects that may adversely affect the environment, either before these projects are executed or once they are operating, if they fail to comply with applicable regulations. In order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, Chilean authorities may impose fines up to approximately US$9 million per infraction, revoke environmental permits or temporarily or permanently close facilities, among other enforcement measures.

Chilean environmental regulations have become increasingly stringent in recent years, both with respect to the approval of new projects and in connection with the implementation and development of projects already approved, and we believe that this trend is likely to continue. Given public interest in environmental enforcement matters, these regulations or their application may also be subject to political considerations that are beyond our control.

We regularly monitor the impact of our operations on the environment and on the health of people in the surrounding areas and have, from time to time, made modifications to our facilities to minimize any adverse impact. Future developments in the creation or implementation of environmental requirements or their interpretation could result in substantially increased capital, operation or compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The success of our current investments at the Salar de Atacama and Nueva Victoria is dependent on the behavior of the ecosystem variables being monitored over time. If the behavior of these variables in future years does not meet environmental requirements, our operation may be subject to important restrictions by the authorities on the maximum allowable amounts of brine and water extraction. For example, on December 13, 2017, the First Environmental Court of Antofagasta ordered the temporary and partial closure of certain water extraction wells located in the Salar de Llamara. These wells allowIn October 2018, the CompanyFirst Environmental Court of Antofagasta accepted our claim, and dismissed the restrictions without prejudice. It is possible that third parties could seek to extract approximately 124 liters per secondreinstate these restrictions in the future. On December 26, 2019, the First Environmental Court of water, almost 15%Antofagasta ruled that the environmental compliance plan presented by SQM Salar S.A. with respect to the Salar de Atacama and approved by the Chilean Environmental Authority (Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente) or SMA, in January 2019 did not comply with certain proposed measures of the water used incompleteness and efficiency requirements of the Company´s operations inChilean environmental legislation.

SQM Salar S.A. has proposed to the First RegionSMA a new environmental compliance plan, which is currently subject to review. We believe that the new proposed environmental compliance plan, safeguards the protection of Chile for iodinethe environment and nitrate production.is evaluating all courses of action available under applicable law with respect to this ruling.

Our future development depends on our ability to sustain future production levels, which requires additional investments and the submission of the corresponding environmental impact studies or statements. If we fail to obtain approval or required environmental licenses, our ability to maintain production at specified levels will be seriously impaired, thus having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, our worldwide operations are subject to international and other local environmental regulations. Since environmental laws and regulations in the different jurisdictions in which we operate may change, we cannot guarantee that future environmental laws, or changes to existing environmental laws, will not materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our water supply could be affected by geological changes or climate change

Our access to water may be impacted by changes in geology, climate change or other natural factors, such as wells drying up or reductions in the amount of water available in the wells or rivers from which we obtain water, that we cannot control. Any such change may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any loss of key personnel may materially and adversely affect our business

Our success depends in large part on the skills, experience and efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel. The loss of the services of key members of our senior management or employees with critical skills could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are not able to attract or retain highly skilled, talented and qualified senior managers or other key personnel, our ability to fully implement our business objectives may be materially and adversely affected.

A significant percentage of our shares are held by two principal shareholder groups who may have an interestinterests that isare different from that of other shareholders and of each other. Any change in such principal shareholder groups may result in a change of control of the Company or of its Board of Directors or its management, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operationsoperations.

As of February 7, 2018,December 31, 2020, two principal shareholder groups held in the aggregate 64.08%57.86% of theour total outstanding shares, of SQM, including a majority of our Series A common shares, and have the power to elect sevensix of our eight directors. The interests of the two principal shareholder groups may in some cases differ from those of other shareholders and of each other.

OneAs of theDecember 31, 2020, one principal shareholder groupsgroup is Nutrien (formerly PCS prior toSociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. and its related companies, Inversiones Global Mining Chile Limitada and Potasios de Chile S.A. (together, the merger with Agrium Inc. on January 1, 2018)“Pampa Group”), which currently ownsowned approximately 32% of the total outstanding shares of SQM. Nutrien is requiredAs reported to divest allthe CMF by Inversiones TLC SpA, a subsidiary of its ownership in SQM within 18 monthsTianqi Lithium Corporation (“Tianqi”), on December 5, 2018, Inversiones TLC SpA currently owns 25.86% of the merger with Agrium Inc. pursuant to the termstotal shares of the approval of the merger of PCS and Agrium Inc. by the Competition Commission of India. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, Nutrien has not yet completed the sale of any portion of its interest in SQM.

The other principal shareholder group consists ofUntil November 30, 2018, the Pampa Group and the Kowa Group (each as defined in “Item 7.A. Major Shareholders”), which currently owns 32.49% of the total outstanding shares of SQM. This shareholder group may lose its Controller Group status under Chilean law upon the termination of the Joint Operation Agreement (as defined in “Item 7.A. Major Shareholders”) as required under the Pampa Group Agreement entered into by the Pampa Group members in connection with the Corfo Arbitration Agreement. See “Item 7.A. Major Shareholders”.

In addition, on April 17, 2017, certain entities owned byCMF considered the Pampa Group the Kowa Group and PCS entered into an agreement with respect to certain corporate governance matterscontroller of SQM. See “Item 7.A. Major Shareholders”On this date, the CMF determined that in accordance with the distribution of the shares of SQM, “the Pampa Group does not exert decisive power over the management of the Company, and is therefore not considered a controlling shareholder”. The CMF could change its decision in the future if circumstances change.

The divestiture by Nutrien, the loss of the Controller Group status by the Pampa Group andor Tianqi, or potential changes in the Kowa Group,circumstances that have led to the determination of the CMF related to the controller status of the shareholders of the Company, or a combination thereof, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Tianqi is a significant shareholder and a competitor of the Company, which could result in risks to free competition

Tianqi is a competitor in the lithium business, and as a result of the number of SQM shares that it owns, it has the right to choose up to three Board members. Under Chilean law, we are restricted in our ability to decline to provide information about us, which may include competitively sensitive information, to a director of our company. On August 27, 2018, Tianqi and the Chilean antitrust regulator, the Chilean National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía Nacional Económica), or FNE, entered into an extrajudicial agreement, under which certain restrictive measures were implemented in order to (i) maintain the competitive conditions of the lithium market, (ii) mitigate the risks described in the agreement and (iii) limit Tianqi’s access to certain information of the Company and its subsidiaries, which is defined as “sensitive information” under the agreement.

During the approval process of the extrajudicial agreement before the FNE, we expressed our concerns regarding the measures contained in the extrajudicial agreement since, in the Company’s opinion, the measures (i) could not effectively resolve the risks that Tianqi and the FNE have sought to mitigate, (ii) are not sufficient to avoid access to our “sensitive information” that, in the possession of a competitor, could harm us and the proper functioning of the market and (iii) could contradict the Chilean Corporations Act.

The presence of a shareholder which is at the same time a competitor of ours and the right of this competitor to choose Board members could generate risks to free competition and/or increase the risks of an investigation of free competition against us, whether in Chile or in other countries, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our information technology systems may be vulnerable to disruption which could place our systems at risk from data loss, operational failure, or compromise of confidential information.

We rely on various computer and information technology systems, and on third party developers and contractors, in connection with our operations, including two networks that link our principal subsidiaries to our operating and administrative facilities in Chile and other parts of the world and ERP software systems, which are used mainly for accounting, monitoring of supplies and inventories, billing, quality control, research activities, and production process and maintenance control. In addition, we use cloud technologies, which allows us to support new business processes and respond quickly and at low cost to changing conditions in our business and of the markets. Our information technology systems are susceptible to disruption, damage or failure from a variety of sources, including errors by employees or contractors, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, misappropriation of data by outside parties, and various other threats. We have taken measures to identify and mitigate these risks with the object of reducing operational risk and improving security and operational efficiency, which also includes modernization of existing information technology infrastructure and communications systems. However, we cannot guarantee that due to the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks our systems will not be compromised and because we do not maintain specialized cybersecurity insurance, our insurance coverage for protection against cybersecurity risk may not be sufficient. During the 2020, and as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we renewed the perimeter security platform, implemented security updates and applications through the cloud, and the remote network access platform was strengthened and a plan to raise awareness of best practices in the use of telework was also provided. Cybersecurity breaches could result in losses of assets or production, operational delays, equipment failure, inaccurate recordkeeping, or disclosure of confidential information, any of which could result in business interruption, reputational damage, lost revenue, litigation, penalties or additional expenses and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Recent international trade tensions could have a negative effect on our financial performance.

Economic conditions in China, an important market for the Company, are sensitive to global economic conditions. The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions in the past, including the recent international trade disputes and tariff actions announced by the United States, China and certain other countries. The U.S. government has imposed significant tariffs on Chinese goods, and Chinese government has, in turn, imposed tariffs on certain goods manufactured in the United States. There is no assurance that the list of goods impacted by additional tariffs will not be expanded or the tariffs will not be increased materially. We are unable to predict how China or U.S. government policy, in particular, the outbreak of a trade war between China and the United States and additional tariffs on bilateral imports, may continue to impact global economic conditions. If the list of goods is further expanded or the tariff is further increased, global economic conditions of both countries could be impacted, and growth in demand for lithium or other commodities could decrease, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Outbreaks of communicable infections or diseases, or other public health pandemics, such as the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) currently being experienced around the world, have impacted and may further impact the markets in which we, our customers and our suppliers operate or market and sell products and could have a material adverse effect on our operations business, financial condition and results of operations.

Disease outbreaks and other public health conditions, such as the global outbreak of COVID-19 currently being experienced, in markets in which we, our customers and our suppliers operate, could have a significant negative impact on our revenues, profitability and business. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a substantial curtailment and disruption of business activities around the world. These curtailments and disruptions include: manufacturing and other work stoppages, factory and other business closings, slowdowns or delays; restrictions and limitations placed on workers and factories, including quarantines and other limitations on the ability to travel and return to work; shortages and delays in production or shipment of products or raw materials; and border closures. In response to the spread of COVID-19, the Chilean government closed its borders for entry by non-resident foreigners for an extended period of time, prohibited the docking of cruise ships at Chilean ports, from time to time imposed quarantines on certain regions of Chile and imposed a nationwide curfew. These measures have not materially impacted imports or exports to or from Chile. However, we have seen some impacts related to the shipment of products in and out of various other countries and regions, which could further negatively impact our ability to ship products to customers and receive supplies from suppliers. Furthermore, the COVID-19 outbreak could disrupt the supply chain for materials we need to implement the planned expansions of our production capacity.

As a precaution, our management has implemented several measures to help reduce the speed at which COVID-19 may spread in our Company, including measures to mitigate the spread in the workplace, significant reductions in employee travel and a mandatory quarantine for people who have arrived from high-risk destinations, in consultation with governmental and international health organization guidelines, and will continue to implement measures consistent with the evolving COVID-19 situation. While these measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus in our facilities, there can be no assurance that these measures will reduce or limit the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, business, financial condition or results of operations. Our operations could be stopped as a result of, among other reasons, regulatory restrictions or a significant outbreak of the virus among our staff, which could prevent employees from reporting to shifts.

While the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are constantly changing, international financial markets have reflected the uncertainty associated with the slowdown of the global economy and the potential impact if businesses, workers, customers and others are prevented or restricted from conducting business activities due to quarantines, business closures or other restrictions imposed by businesses or governmental authorities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. An economic downturn could affect demand for the products of our customers by their end-users and, in turn, demand from our customers for our products.

If our stakeholders and other constituencies believe we fail to appropriately address sustainability and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns it may adversely affect our business.

In October 2020, we announced our sustainable development plan, which includes voluntarily expanding our monitoring systems, promoting better and more profound conversations with neighboring communities and becoming carbon neutral and reducing water by 65% and brine extraction by 50%. We also announced a goal of obtaining international certifications and participating in international sustainability indices which we consider essential for a sustainable future.

While we are dedicated to our efforts related to sustainability, if we fail to address appropriately all relevant stakeholders’ concerns in connection with ESG criteria, we may face opposition, which could negatively affect our reputation, delay operations, or lead to litigation threats or actions. If we do not maintain our reputation with key stakeholders and constituencies and effectively manage these sensitive issues, they could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Climate change can create physical risks and other risks that could adversely affect our business and operations and adverse weather conditions or significant changes in weather patterns could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

The impact of climate change on our operations and our customers’ operations remains uncertain, but the physical effects of climate change could have an adverse effect on us and our customers as experts believe that climate change may be associated with more extreme weather conditions. These effects could include, but may not be limited to, changes in regional weather patterns, including drought and rainfall levels, water availability, sea levels, storm patterns and intensities and temperature levels, including increased volatility in seasonal temperatures via excessively hot or cold temperatures. These extreme weather conditions could vary by geographic location.

Severe climate change could have an adverse effect on our costs, production, or sales, especially with respect to our solar operations in the Salar de Atacama, which require hot, arid summer weather conditions. Prolonged periods of precipitation or cooler weather during the evaporation season could reduce evaporation rates, leading to decreases in our production levels. Similarly, changes in hydrology could affect brine levels, impacting our mineral harvesting process. The occurrence of these climate events at our solar operations could lead to decreased production levels, increased operating costs and require us to make significant additional capital expenditures.

Weather conditions have historically caused volatility in the agricultural industry (and indirectly in our results of operations) by causing crop failures or significantly reduced harvests, which can adversely affect application rates, demand for our plant nutrition products and our customers’ creditworthiness. Weather conditions can also lead to a reduction in farmable acres, flooding, drought or wildfires, which could also adversely impact growers’ crop yields and the uptake of plant nutrients, reducing the need for application of plant nutrition products for the next planting season which could result in lower demand for our plant nutrition products and negatively impact the prices of our products.

Any prolonged change in weather patterns in our markets, as a result of climate change or otherwise, could have a material adverse impact on the results of our operations.

Risks Relating to Financial Markets

Currency fluctuations may have a negative effect on our financial performanceperformance.

We transact a significant portion of our business in U.S. dollars, and the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which we operate. In addition, the U.S. dollar is our functional currency for financial statement reporting purposes. A significant portion of our costs, however, is related to the Chilean peso. Therefore, an increase or decrease in the exchange rate between the Chilean peso and the U.S. dollar would affect our costs of production. The Chilean peso has been subject to large devaluations and revaluations in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. As of December 31, 2017,2020, the Chilean peso exchange rate was Ch$614.75710.95 per U.S. dollar, while as of December 31, 2016,2019 the Chilean peso exchange rate was Ch$669.47748.74 per U.S. dollar. The Chilean peso therefore appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 8.0%5.0% in 2017.2020. As of April 18, 2018,March 1, 2021, the Observed Exchange Rate was Ch$595.82719.91 per U.S. dollar.

As an international company operating in several other countries, we also transact business and have assets and liabilities in other non-U.S. dollar currencies, such as, among others, the Euro, the South African rand, the Mexican peso, the Chinese yuan, the Thai baht and the Brazilian real.

As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rates of such foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to risks associated with the discontinuation, reform or replacement of benchmark indices.

Interest rate, fluctuationsforeign exchange rate and other types of indices which are deemed to be “benchmarks” are the subject of increased regulatory scrutiny and may be discontinued, reformed or replaced. For example, in 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) benchmark after 2021. This reform will, and other future reforms may, cause benchmarks to be different than they have been in the past, or to disappear entirely, or have other consequences which cannot be fully anticipated which introduces a number of risks for our business. These risks include (i) legal risks arising from potential changes required to document new and existing transactions; (ii) financial risks arising from any changes in the valuation of financial instruments linked to benchmark rates; (iii) pricing risks arising from how changes to benchmark indices could impact pricing mechanisms on some instruments; (iv) operational risks arising from the potential requirement to adapt IT systems, trade reporting infrastructure and operational processes; and (v) conduct risks arising from the potential impact of communication with customers and engagement during the transition period. Various replacement benchmarks, and the timing of and mechanisms for implementation are being considered. The transition away from LIBOR to risk-free reference rates (RFRs) requires financial firms to make a variety of internal changes, for example updating front-and back-office systems, retraining staff and redesigning processes, as well as potentially modifying or renegotiating potentially thousands of LIBOR-linked contracts. All banks and other financial market participants must eliminate their dependence on LIBOR by this date if they are to avoid disruption when the publication of LIBOR ceases. Although as of December 31, 2020 we had approximately US$70 million short- and long-term debt that use a LIBOR benchmark, it is not currently possible to determine whether, or to what extent, any such changes would affect us. However, the discontinuation or reformation of existing benchmark rates or the implementation of alternative benchmark rates may have a material impactadverse effect on our financial performance

As of December 31, 2017, we did not have any outstanding short or long-term debt bearing interest based on LIBOR or other variable interest rates. Should we have such debt in the future, a relative increase in the rate could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Chile

As we are a company based in Chile, we are exposed to Chilean political risks and civil unrest in Chile.

Our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospectsresults of operations could be affected by changes in policies of the Chilean government, other political developments in or affecting Chile, legal changes in the standards or administrative practices of Chilean authorities or the interpretation of such standards and practices, over which we have no control. The Chilean government has modified, and has the ability to modify, monetary, fiscal, tax, social and other policies in order to influence the Chilean economy or social conditions. We have no control over government policies and cannot predict how those policies or government intervention will affect the Chilean economy or social conditions, or, directly and indirectly, our business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in policies involving exploitation of natural resources, taxation and other matters related to our industry may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are exposed to economic and political volatility and civil unrest in Chile. Changes in social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, development and investment in Chile, as well as crises and political uncertainties in Chile, could adversely affect economic growth in Chile. In October and November 2019, Chile experienced riots and widespread mass demonstrations in Santiago and other major cities in Chile, triggered by an increase in public transportation fares in the city of Santiago, which involved violence and significant property damage and caused commercial disruptions throughout the country. As a result, on October 18, 2019 the Chilean government declared a 15-day period state of emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew in the greater Santiago region and other cities. The state of emergency has since been lifted and the Chilean government has introduced several social reforms, including (i) an immediate 20% increase in government-subsidized pensions; (ii) new insurance programs to cover catastrophic illnesses and medication; (iii) a guaranteed minimum monthly income for wage earners of Ch$350,000 (approximately US$460.95), with the difference between such guaranteed minimum monthly income and the minimum monthly wage (Ch$301,000) to be borne by the Chilean government; (iv) the reversal of a previously announced 9.2% price increase in energy tariffs; and (v) a 40% income tax bracket for individuals earning over Ch$15.0 million (approximately US$19,755.04) a month, increased from 35%. In addition, President Piñera announced a pay cut for members of the Chilean Congress and the highest-paid civil servants and replaced eight ministers of his government. On November 15, 2019, representatives of Chile’s leading political parties agreed to hold a referendum, allowing Chileans to vote on whether to replace the Chilean Constitution. In November 2020, a referendum was held to vote on two matters: (i) whether a new constitution should be enacted and (ii) if so, whether a constituent convention should be comprised of an elected mixed assembly of current Congress members and newly elected persons or entirely comprised of newly-elected citizens. This referendum resulted in strong support for convening a fully elected Constitutional Convention to draft Chile’s new constitution. The election of the members of this convention will be held in April 2021. Each new article of the Constitution would have to be approved by two thirds of the convention. The Constitutional Convention will have approximately one year, starting in April 2021, to complete the draft of the Constitution. An exit referendum with compulsory participation will then be held to ratify the new Constitution.

The long-term effects of this social unrest are hard to predict, but could include slower economic growth, which could adversely affect our profitability and prospects.

Changes to the Chilean Constitution could impact a wide range of rights, including mining rights, water rights and property rights generally, and could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In response to the riots and mass demonstrations that occurred during October and November 2019, the Chilean government held a national referendum in November 2020 which decided that a new Chilean Constitution would be drafted by a special constituent assembly comprised entirely of citizens elected for that task (“Elected Citizens”). As decided in the referendum, all Elected Citizens are to be elected in April 2021 and the draft Chilean Constitution will be presented by the drafters in September or December 2021 (depending on whether an extension is requested) for approval by the citizens of Chile in May or August 2022 (depending on whether an extension is requested). It is expected that the final draft of the new Chilean Constitution will be submitted to a public referendum for approval. The existing Chilean Constitution has been in place since 1980 and any new Chilean Constitution could change the political situation of Chile, potentially changing a wide range of rights, including mining rights, water rights and property rights generally, which could affect the Chilean economy and the business outlook for the country generally and our business, financial condition and results of operations in particular.

Changes in regulations regarding, or any revocation or suspension of ourmining, port or other concessions could negatively affect our business

Any changes to regulations to which we are subject or adverse changes to our concession rights, or a revocation or suspension of our concessions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in mining or port concessions could affect our operating costs

We conduct our mining operations, including brine extraction, under exploitation and exploration concessions granted in accordance with provisions of the Chilean constitutionConstitution and related laws and statutes. Our exploitation concessions essentially grant a perpetual right (with the exception of the rights granted to SQM Salar with respect to the Salar de Atacama concessions under the Lease Agreement described above, which expires in 2030) to conduct mining operations in the areas covered by the concessions, provided that we pay annual concession fees. Our exploration concessions permit us to explore for mineral resources on the land covered thereby for a specified period of time and to subsequently request a corresponding exploitation concession. Any changes to the Chilean Constitution with respect to the exploitation and exploration of natural resources and concessions granted as a result of the proposed Constitutional referendum could materially adversely affect our existing exploitation and exploration concessions or our ability to obtain future concessions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We also operate port facilities at Tocopilla, Chile, for the shipment of products and the delivery of raw materials pursuant to maritime concessions, which have been granted under applicable Chilean laws and are normally renewable on application, provided that such facilities are used as authorized and annual concession fees are paid.

Any significant adverse changes to any of these concessions, any changes to regulations to which we are subject or adverse changes to our other concession rights, or a revocation or suspension of any of our concessions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in water rights laws and other regulations could affect our operating costsbusiness, financial condition and results of operations.

We hold water use rights that are key to our operations. These rights were obtained from the Chilean Water Authority (Dirección General de Aguas) for supply of water from rivers and wells near our production facilities, which we believe are sufficient to meet current operating requirements. However, the Chilean water rights codeWater Rights Code (Código de Aguas or the “Water Code”) is subject to changes, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, a series of bills are currently being discussed atby the Chilean National Congress that seek to desalinate seawater for use in mining production processes, amend the Mining Code for water use in mining operations, amend the PoliticalChilean Constitution on water and introduce changes to the regulatory framework governing the terms of inspection and sanction of water. As a result, the amount of water that we can actually use under our existing rights may be reduced or the cost of such use could increase. In addition, any changes to the Chilean Constitution with respect to water rights as a result of the proposed Constitutional referendum could restrict our access to water required for our production operations and materially adversely affect our existing operations or our ability to expand our operations in the future. These and potential future changes to the Water Code, the Chilean Constitution or other relevant regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Chilean National Congress is considering a draft bill that declares lithium mining to be in the national interest, which if passed in its current form, could enable the expropriation of our lithium assets.

The Chilean National Congress is currently processing a bill, bulletin 10,638-08, which “Declares the exploitation and commercialization of lithium and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. to be of national interest.” The purpose of this bill is to enable the potential expropriation of our assets, or our lithium operations in general. The bill is subject to further discussion in the Chilean National Congress, which includes several possible changes to its current wording. We cannot guarantee that the bill will not eventually be approved by the Chilean National Congress, nor that its final wording will not refer to us or our lithium operations. If the bill is approved as currently drafted, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Chilean government could levy additional taxes on corporationsmining companies operating in ChileChile.

In Chile, there is a royalty tax that is applied to mining activities developed in the country.

On September 29, 2014, Law No. 20,780 was published (the “Tax Reform”), introducing significant The Chilean National Congress is currently processing a bill, bulletin 12,093-08, which proposes to institute a royalty fee of 3% on the value of extracted minerals. The bill is subject to further discussion in the Chilean National Congress, which includes several possible changes to its current wording. We cannot guarantee that the bill will not eventually be approved by the Chilean taxation system and strengtheningNational Congress. If the powers of the SII to control and prevent tax avoidance. Subsequently, on February 8, 2016, Law No. 20,899 that simplifies the income tax system and modifies other legal tax provisions was published. As a result of these reforms, open stock corporations like SQM are subject to the partially integrated shareholder tax regime (sistema parcialmente integrado). The corporate tax rate applicable to us increased to 25.5% in 2017 and will increase to a maximum rate of 27% in 2018.

Under the partially integrated shareholder taxation regime, shareholders bear the tax on dividends upon payment, but they will only be permitted to credit against such shareholder taxes a portion of the Chilean corporate tax paid by us on our earnings, unless the shareholderbill is resident in a country with a tax treaty in force with Chile or signed with Chile prior to January 1, 2017, whether or not in force. In that case, 100% of the Chilean corporate tax paid by us may be credited against the final taxes at the shareholder level.

As a result, foreign shareholders resident in a non-treaty jurisdiction will be subject to a higher effective tax rate than residents of treaty jurisdictions. There is a temporary rule in effect from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 that treaty jurisdictions for this purpose will include jurisdictions with tax treaties signed with Chile prior to January 1, 2017, whether or not such treaties are in force. This isapproved as currently the status of the treaty signed between Chile and United States.

The Tax Reform tax increase prompted a US$52.3 million increase in our deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2014. In accordance with IAS 12, the effects generated by the change in the income tax rate approved by Law No. 20.780 on income and deferred taxes were applied to the income statement. For purposes of the Company’s statutory consolidated financial statements filed with the CMF, in accordance with the instructions issued by the CMF in its circular 856 of October 17, 2014, the effects generated by the change in the income tax rate were accounted for as retained earnings. The amount charged to equity as of December 31, 2014 was US$52.3 million, thereby giving rise to a difference of US$52.3 million in profit for the year and income tax expense as presented in the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements compared with profit and income tax expense as presented in the Company’s statutory consolidated financial statements filed with the CMF.

In addition, the Tax Reform may have other material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Likewise, we cannot assure you that the manner in which the Royalty Law (as defined below) or the corporate tax rate are interpreted and applied will not change in the future. The Chilean government may decide to levy additional taxes on mining companies or other corporations in Chile. Such changesdrafted, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Ratification of the International Labor Organization’s Convention 169 concerning indigenous and tribal peoples might affect our development plansplans.

Chile, a member of the International Labor Organization (“ILO”), has ratified the ILO’s Convention 169 (the “Indigenous Rights Convention”) concerning indigenous and tribal people. The Indigenous Rights Convention established several rights for indigenous people and communities. Among other rights, the Indigenous Rights Convention states that (i) indigenous groups should be notified and consulted prior to the development of any project on land deemed indigenous, although veto rights are not mentioned, and (ii) indigenous groups have, to the extent possible, a stake in benefits resulting from the exploitation of natural resources in indigenous land. The extent of these benefits has not been defined by the Chilean government. The Chilean government has addressed item (i) above through Supreme Decree No. 66, issued by the Social Development Ministry. This decree requires government entities to consult indigenous groups that may be directly affected by the adoption of legislative or administrative measures, and it also defines criteria for the projects or activities that must be reviewed through the environmental evaluation system that also require such consultation. To the extent that the new rights outlined in the IndigenousIgndigenous Rights Convention become laws or regulations in Chile, theyjudicial interpretations of the convention of those laws or regulations could affect the development of our investment projects in lands that have been defined as indigenous, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The Chilean Supreme Court has consistently held that consultation processes must be carried out in the manner prescribed by Indigenous Rights Convention.

The consultation process may cause delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, including environmental permits, as well as public opposition by local and/or international political, environmental and ethnic groups, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas or in areas inhabited by indigenous populations. Furthermore, the omission of the consultation process when required by law may result in the revocation or annulment of regulatory approvals, including environmental permits already granted.

Consequently, operating projects may be affected since the omission of the consultation process, when required by law, could lead to public law annulment actions pursuing the annulment of the environmental permits granted.

However, this risk frequently arises during the environmental assessment phase when the environmental permits are to be obtained. In such scenario, affected parties may take several legal actions to declare null or void the environmental permits that omitted the consultation process, and in some cases, courts have overturned environmental approvals in which consultation was not made as prescribed in the Indigenous Rights Convention.

If the Indigenous Rights Convention affects our development plans, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chile has different corporate disclosure and accounting standards than those you may be familiar with in the United States.

Accounting, financial reporting and securities disclosure requirements in Chile differ in certain significant respects from those required in the United States. Accordingly, the information about us available to you will not be the same as the information available to holders of securities issued by a U.S. company. In addition, although Chilean law imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, applicable Chilean laws are different from those in the United States, and the Chilean securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the U.S. securities markets.

Chile is located in a seismically active regionregion.

Chile is prone to earthquakes because it is located along major fault lines. The most recent majorDuring 2017-2020, Chile has experienced several earthquakes in Chile, which occurred in April 2017 in the Valparaiso region and in December 2016 in Chiloe Island, had a magnitude of 6.9 and 7.6, respectively,over 6.0 on the Richter scale. There were also earthquakes in 2015, 2014 and 2010the past decade that caused substantial damage to some areas of the country. Chile has also experienced volcanic activity. A major earthquake or a volcanic eruption could have significant negative consequences for our operations and for the general infrastructure, such as roads, rail, and access to goods, in Chile. Although we maintain industry standard insurance policies that include earthquake coverage, we cannot assure you that a future seismic or volcanic event will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to our Shares and to our ADSs

The price of our ADSs and the U.S. dollar value of any dividends will be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/Chilean peso exchange raterate.

Chilean trading in the shares underlying our ADSs is conducted in Chilean pesos. The depositary for our ADSs will receive cash distributions that we make with respect to the shares in Chilean pesos. The depositary will convert such Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars at the then prevailing exchange rate to make dividend and other distribution payments in respect of ADSs. If the value of the Chilean peso falls relative to the U.S. dollar, the value of the ADSs and any distributions to be received from the depositary will decrease.

Developments in other emerging markets could materially affect the value of our ADSs and our sharesshares.

The Chilean financial and securities markets are, to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries or regions of the world. Although economic conditions are different in each country or region, investor reaction to developments in one country or region can have significant effects on the securities of issuers in other countries and regions, including Chile and Latin America. Events in other parts of the world may have a material effect on Chilean financial and securities markets and on the value of our ADSs and our shares.

The prices of securities issued by Chilean companies, including banks, are influenced to varying degrees by economic and market considerations in other countries. We cannot assure you that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy, including consequences of economic difficulties in other markets, will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are exposed to risks related to the weakness and volatility of the economic and political situation in Asia, the United States, Europe, other parts of Latin America and other nations. Although economic conditions in Europe and the United States may differ significantly from economic conditions in Chile, investors’ reactions to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Chilean issuers.

If these, or other nations’ economic conditions deteriorate, the economy in Chile, as both a neighboring country and a trading partner, could also be affected and could experience slower growth than in recent years, with possible adverse impact on our borrowers and counterparties.

Chile has considerable economic ties with China, the United States and Europe. In 2020, approximately 37.2% of Chile’s exports went to China, mainly copper. China’s economy has grown at a strong pace in recent times, but a slowdown in economic activity in China may affect Chile’s GDP and export growth as well as the price of copper, which is Chile’s main export. Chile exported approximately 14.0% of total exports to the United States and 8.8% to Europe in 2020.

Chile was recently involved in international litigation with Bolivia regarding maritime borders. We cannot assure you that crises and political uncertainty in other Latin American countries will not have an adverse effect on Chile, the price of our securities or our business.

The volatility and low liquidity of the Chilean securities markets could affect the ability of our shareholders to sell our ADSsADSs.

The Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. The volatility and low liquidity of the Chilean markets could increase the price volatility of our ADSs and may impair the ability of a holder to sell our ADSs or to sell the shares underlying our ADSs into the Chilean market in the amount and at the price and time hethe holder wishes to do so.

Our share or ADS price may react negatively to future acquisitions, divestitures, capital increases and investmentsinvestments.

As world leaders in our core businesses, part of our strategy is to look for opportunities that will allow us to consolidate and strengthen our competitive position in jurisdictions in which we currently do not operate. Pursuant to this strategy, we may carry out acquisitions or joint ventures relating to any of our businesses or to new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. We may also seek to strengthen our leadership position in our core businesses through divestitures of certain assets or stakes in subsidiaries that we believe will allow us to concentrate our efforts on our core businesses. Depending on our capital structure at the time of suchany acquisitions or joint ventures, we may need to raise significant debt and/or equity which will affect our financial condition and future cash flows. We may also carry out capital increases in order to raise capital for our capital plan. In addition, any divestitures we effect may not result in strengthening our position in our core businesses as anticipated. Any change in our financial condition could affect our results of operations and negatively impactingimpact our share or ADS price.

ADS holders may be unable to enforce rights under U.S. securities lawslaws.

Because we are a Chilean company subject to Chilean law, the rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights of shareholders in companies incorporated in the United States, and ADS holders may not be able to enforce or may have difficulty enforcing rights currently in effect under U.S. federal or state securities laws.

Our Companycompany is an open stock corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Chile. Most of our directors and officers reside outside the United States, principally in Chile. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, if any of our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs, were to bring a lawsuit against our officers or directors in the United States, it may be difficult for them to effect service of legal process within the United States upon these persons. Likewise, it may be difficult for them to enforce judgments obtained in United States courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws in the United States against them in the United States.

In addition, there is no treaty between the United States and Chile providing for the reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments. However, Chilean courts have enforced judgments rendered in the United States, provided that the Chilean court finds that the United States court respected basic principles of due process and public policy. Nevertheless, there is doubt as to whether an action could be brought successfully in Chile in the first instance on the basis of liability based solely upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws.

As preemptive rights may be unavailable for our ADS holders, they have the risk of their holdings being diluted if we issue new stockstock.

Chilean laws require companies to offer their shareholders preemptive rights whenever issuing new shares of capital stock so shareholders can maintain their existing ownership percentage in a company. If we increase our capital by issuing new shares, a holder may subscribe for up to the number of shares that would prevent dilution of the holder’s ownership interest.

If we issue preemptive rights, United States holders of ADSs would not be able to exercise their rights unless a registration statement under the Securities Act were effective with respect to such rights and the shares issuable upon exercise of such rights or an exemption from registration were available. We cannot assure holders of ADSs that we will file a registration statement or that an exemption from registration will be available. We may, in our absolute discretion, decide not to prepare and file such a registration statement. IfAlthough in connection with the pending capital increase approved by our shareholders on January 22, 2021, we expect to file a registration statement that would permit holders of ADSs to exercise preemptive rights, if our ADS holders were unable to exercise their preemptive rights because we did not file a registration statement, the ADS depositary bank would attempt to sell their rights and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to them, after deducting the depositary’s fees and expenses. If the depositary could not sell the rights, they would expire and have no further value and holders of ADSs would not realize any value from them. In either case, ADS holders’ equity interestinterests in us would be diluted in proportion to the increase in our capital stock.

If we were classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, there could be adverse consequences for U.S. investorsinvestors.

We believe that we were not classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) for 2017.2020. Characterization as a PFIC could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. investor in our shares or ADSs. For example, if we (or any of our subsidiaries) are a PFIC, our U.S. investors may become subject to increased tax liabilities under U.S. tax laws and regulations and will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. The determination of whether or not we (or any of our subsidiaries or portfolio companies) are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our (or their) income and assets from time to time. See “Item 10.E. Taxation—Material United States Tax Considerations.”

Changes in Chilean tax regulations could have adverse consequences for U.S. investorsinvestors.

Currently cash dividends paid by us to foreign shareholders are subject to a 35% Chilean withholding tax. When the Company pays a corporate income tax on the income from which the dividend is paid, known as a “First Category Tax”, a credit for all or a portion of the full amount of the First Category Tax, depending on the jurisdiction of the foreign shareholder, effectively reduces the rate of Withholding Tax. Foreign shareholders resident in a jurisdiction with a tax treaty in force with Chile will be credited with 100% of the Chilean corporate tax paid by us against the final taxes at the shareholder level. Foreign shareholders resident in a non-treaty jurisdiction will be subject to a higher effective tax rate on dividends because only a portion of the Chilean corporate tax paid by us will be credited against the final taxes at the shareholder level. There is a temporary rule in effect since January 1, 2017, which has been extended to December 31, 2026, that provides that treaty jurisdictions for this purpose will include jurisdictions with tax treaties signed with Chile prior to January 1, 2020, even if such treaties are not in force. This is currently the status of the treaty signed between the United States and Chile.

Additionally, pursuant to the current social and political agenda, it is expected that the Chilean Government, based on a report prepared on January 2021 by a commission of experts, will introduce a new tax reform bill aimed at limiting tax exemptions and/or preferential tax treatments contained in the Chilean tax legislation, such as the exemption on capital gains arising from the sale of shares that are publicly traded and have a high presence in the stock exchange.

Changes in Chilean tax regulations could have adverse consequences for U.S. investors. See “Item 3.D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—The Chilean Government Could Levy Additional Taxes on Corporations Operating in Chile” and “Item 10.E. Taxation—Material Chilean Tax Considerations.”

General Risk Factors

Our measures to minimize our exposure to bad debt may not be effective and a significant increase in our accounts receivable coupled with the financial condition of customers may result in losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Potentially negative effects of global economic conditions on the financial condition of our customers may include the extension of the payment terms of our accounts receivable and may increase our exposure to bad debt. While we have implemented certain safeguards, such as using credit insurance, letters of credit and prepayment for a portion of sales, to minimize the risk, we cannot assure you that such safeguards will be effective and a significant increase in our accounts receivable coupled with the financial condition of customers may result in losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Quality standards in markets in which we sell our products could become stricter over time.

In the markets in which we do business, customers may impose quality standards on our products and/or governments may enact stricter regulations for the distribution and/or use of our products. As a result, if we cannot meet such new standards or regulations, we may not be able to sell our products. In addition, our cost of production may increase in order to meet any such newly imposed or enacted standards or regulations. Failure to sell our products in one or more markets or to important customers could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to many operating and other risks for which we may not be fully covered under our insurance policies.

Our facilities and business operations in Chile and abroad are insured against losses, damage or other risks by insurance policies that are standard for the industry and that would reasonably be expected to be sufficient by prudent and experienced persons engaged in businesses similar to ours.

We may be subject to certain events that may not be covered under our insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, as a result of major earthquakes and unexpected rains and flooding in Chile, as well as other natural disasters worldwide, conditions in the insurance market have changed and may continue to change in the future, and as a result, we may face higher premiums and reduced coverage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our water supply could be affected by geological changes or climate change.

Our access to water may be impacted by changes in geology, climate change or other natural factors, such as wells drying up or reductions in the amount of water available in the wells or rivers from which we obtain water, that we cannot control. The use of seawater for future or current operations could increase our operating costs. Any such change may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any loss of key personnel may materially and adversely affect our business.

Our success depends in large part on the skills, experience and efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel. The loss of the services of key members of our senior management or employees with critical skills could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are not able to attract or retain highly skilled, talented and qualified senior managers or other key personnel, our ability to fully implement our business objectives may be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to Chilean and international anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and international trade laws. Failure to comply with these laws could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are required to be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in Chile and internationally with respect to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and other regulatory matters, including the FCPA. Although we and our subsidiaries maintain policies and processes intended to comply with these laws, we cannot ensure that these compliance policies and processes will prevent intentional, reckless or negligent acts committed by our officers or employees.

If we or our subsidiaries fail to comply with any applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering or other similar laws, we and our officers and employees may be subject to criminal, administrative or civil penalties and other remedial measures, which could have material adverse effects on our and our subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations. Any investigation of potential violations of anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-money laundering laws by governmental authorities in Chile or other jurisdictions could result in an inability to prepare our consolidated financial statements in a timely manner. This could adversely impact our reputation, ability to access the financial markets and ability to obtain contracts, assignments, permits and other government authorizations necessary to participate in our and our subsidiaries’ industry, which, in turn, could have adverse effects on our and our subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations.

4.A. History and Development of the Company

Historical Background

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. is an open stock corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile. We were constituted by public deed issued on June 17, 1968 by the Notary Public of Santiago, Mr. Sergio Rodríguez Garcés. Our existence was approved by Decree No. 1,164 of June 22, 1968 of the Ministry of Finance, and we were registered on June 29, 1968 in the Registry of Commerce of Santiago, on page 4,537 No. 1,992. Our headquarters is located at El Trovador 4285, Fl. 6, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Our telephone number is +56 2 2425-2000. We are legally referred to by our full name Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. as well as commercially by the abbreviated name “SQM.” Our Website is www.sqm.com. The information contained on or linked from our website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into this report. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, such as our company, at www.sec.gov.

Commercial exploitation of the caliche ore deposits in northern Chile began in the 1830s, when sodium nitrate was extracted from the ore for use in the manufacturing of explosives and fertilizers. By the end of the nineteenth century, nitrate production had become the leading industry in Chile, and the country was the world’s leading supplier of nitrates. The accelerated commercial development of synthetic nitrates in the 1920s and the global economic depression in the 1930s caused a serious contraction of the Chilean nitrate business, which did not recover significantly until shortly before the Second World War. After the war, the widespread commercial production of synthetic nitrates resulted in a further contraction of the natural nitrate industry in Chile, which continued to operate at depressed levels into the 1960s.

We were formed in 1968 through a joint venture between Compañía Salitrera Anglo Lautaro S.A. (“Anglo Lautaro”) and Corfo, a Chilean government entity. Three years after our formation, in 1971, Anglo Lautaro sold all of its shares to Corfo, and we were wholly owned by the Chilean Governmentgovernment until 1983. In 1983, Corfo began a process of privatization by selling our shares to the public and subsequently listing such shares on the Santiago Stock Exchange. By 1988, all of our shares were publicly owned. Our ADSs have traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “SQM” since 1993. Each ADS represents one Series B common share. We accessed international capital markets again for the issuance of additional ADSs in 1995 and 1999.

Since our inception, we have produced nitrates and iodine, which are obtained from the caliche ore deposits in northern Chile. In 1985, we began to use heap leaching processes to extract nitrates and iodine, and in 1986 we started to produce potassium nitrate at our Coya Sur facility. Between 1994 and 1999, we invested approximately US$300 million in the development of the Salar de Atacama project in northern Chile, which has enabled us to produce potassium chloride, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, potassium sulfate and boric acid.

From 2000 through 2004, we principally consolidated the investments carried out in the preceding five years. We focused on reducing costs and improving efficiencies throughout the organization. In addition, in 2001, we signed a commercial distribution agreement with the Norwegian company Yara International ASA, in order to take advantage of cost synergies in the Specialty Plant Nutrition business line.

Starting in 2005, we began strengthening our leadership position in our core businesses through a combination of capital expenditures and advantageous acquisitions and divestitures. Our acquisitions have included the Kemira Emirates Fertiliser Company (“Kefco”) in Dubai in 2005 and the iodine business of Royal DSM N.V. (“DSM”) in 2006. We also entered into a number of joint ventures, including a joint venture with Migao Corporation (“Migao”), signed in 2008, for the production of potassium nitrate, and SQM VITAS, our joint venture with the French Roullier Group. Pursuant to the latter joint venture, in 2010, we launched a new line of soluble phosphate products, and in 2012 we built new plants for the production of water-soluble fertilizers in Brazil (Candeias), Peru and South Africa (Durban). We have also sold: (i) Fertilizantes Olmeca, our former Mexican subsidiary, in 2006, (ii) our stake in Impronta S.R.L., our former Italian subsidiary, in 2007 and (iii) our former butyllithiumbutyl lithium plant located in Houston, Texas, in 2008. These sales allowed us to concentrate our efforts on our core products.

TheOur capital expenditure program has allowed us to add new products to our product lines and increase the production capacity of our existing products. In 2005, we started production of lithium hydroxide at a plant in the Salar del Carmen, near the city of Antofagasta in the north of Chile. In 2007, we completed the construction of a new prilling and granulating plant for nitrates in Coya Sur. In 2011, we completed expansions of our lithium carbonate capacity, achieving 48,000 metric tons of capacity per year. Since 2010, we have continued to expand our production capacity of potassium products in our operations in the Salar de Atacama. In 2011, we completed the construction of a new potassium nitrate facility in Coya Sur, increasing our overall production capacity of potassium nitrate by 300,000 metric tons per year. In 2013, we completed expansions in the production capacity of our iodine plants in Nueva Victoria. Our capital expenditure program also includes exploration for metallic minerals. Our exploration efforts have led to discoveries that in some cases may result in sales of the discovery and the generation of royalty income in the future. Within this context, in 2013 we sold our royalty rights to the Antucoya mining project to Antofagasta Minerals. In 2013 we also opened a trading office in Thailand.

In 2014, we invested in the development of new extraction sectors and production increases in both nitrates and iodine at Nueva Victoria, reaching an approximate production capacity (including the Iris facility) of 8,500 metric tons per year of iodine at the facility. We also issued a bond in the international capital markets for US$250 million, primarily to refinance existing indebtedness.

In 2015, we focused on increasing the efficiency of our operations. Within this context, we announced a plan to restructure our iodine and nitrate operations. In an effort to take advantage of our highly efficient production facilities at our Nueva Victoria site, we decided to suspend the mining and nitrate operations and reduce iodine production at our Pedro de Valdivia site. During 2017, we increased our iodine production capacity at Nueva Victoria to approximately 10,000 metric tons per year. IncludingWe continued expanding in 2018, and today, including Pedro de Valdivia and Nueva Victoria, our current effective iodine capacity is approximately 11,00014,000 metric tons per year.

In 2016, we entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Lithium Americas to develop the Minera Exar lithium project in Caucharí-Olaroz in the Jujuy province of Argentina. UnderOur interest was sold to Ganfeng Lithium Netherlands Co., BV in 2018. Ganfeng is responsible for a US$50 million deferred payment to us if certain sales goals are met by the current project timeline,project. In 2016, we expect to commission the first stage of 25,000 metric tons plant production by 2020. We also made a capital contribution of US$20 million to Elemental Minerals Limited (“Elemental Minerals”), an Australian based company whose main assets are various potassium deposits in the Republic of Congo. We invested approximately US$20 million in exchange for 18% of the company, and a right of first refusal for approximately 20% of the total potash production of Elemental Minerals. Following this transaction at the end of 2016, Elemental Minerals changed its name to Kore Potash Limited. The State General Reserve Fund of Oman contributedinvested US$20 million.

In 2017, we continued to expand our operations outside Chile and, together with our subsidiary SQM Australia Pty, we entered into an agreement to acquire 50% of the assets of the Mt. Holland lithium project in Western Australia. We entered into a 50/50 unincorporated joint venture with Kidman Resources Limited (“Kidman”), with respect to the Mt. Holland lithium project, to design, construct and operate a mine, concentrator and refinery to produce approximately 45,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide per year. SQM Australia Pty committed to pay a price of US$110 million for the 50% of the Mt. Holland assets, which was split into an initial payment of US$25 million and a deferred payment of US$87.5 million, both payments subject to certain conditions precedent. SQM Australia Pty paid an additional (i) US$10 million as part of the initial payment, and (ii) US$30 million once the deferred payment took place. All payments subject to conditions under the purchase agreement with Kidman were executed by December 2018. These investments are not included in the capital expenditure program amounts discussed in the section below. These investments were carried out with internal financing.

In 2017, we continued to expand our operations outside Chile and, together with our subsidiary SQM Australia Pty,On September 23, 2019, Wesfarmers Limited (“Wesfarmers”) acquired all the issued ordinary shares in Kidman, becoming a 50% ofpartner in the assets of the MountMt. Holland lithium project in Western Australia, Australia. We entered into a 50/50the joint venture with Kidman Resources LimitedSQM Australia Pty.

In September 2020, in the Salar de Atacama, we began a self-assessment process, which is the first step in the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (“IRMA”) rigorous responsible mining certification process.

In October 2020, we announced our Sustainable Development Plan, which includes voluntarily expanding our monitoring systems, promoting better and more meaningful conversations with neighboring communities, becoming carbon neutral and reducing water by 65% and brine extraction by 50%. As part of this plan, we also set a goal to develop mining operationsobtain international certifications and construct concentrationparticipate in international sustainability indices.

In November 2020, we were accepted into the Dow Jones Sustainability Chile and refining plants to produce 40,000 metric tons per yearthe Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance Indices.

On February 16, 2021, our Board approved the investment of lithium carbonate andapproximately US$700 million for our 50% share of the development costs of the Mt. Holland lithium hydroxide starting in 2021. Kidman Resources Limited will retain the exclusive right to exploit gold within the project area. According to the agreement, SQM Australia Pty committed to pay a price of US$35 million, subject to compliance with conditions established in the agreement. As of December 31, 2017, no payments had been made yet.joint venture with Wesfarmers.

Capital Expenditure Program

We regularly review different opportunities to improve our production methods, reduce costs, increase production capacity of existing products and develop new products and markets. Additionally, significant capital expenditures are required every year in order to sustain our production capacity. We are focused on developing new products in response to identified customer demand, as well as new products that can be derived as part of our existing production or other products that could fit our long-term development strategy. Our capital expenditures in Chile have been mainly related to the organic growth and sustainability of our business, including the construction of new facilities and the renovation of plants and equipment. From 2016In 2020, we also worked on the expansion of our lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide capacity in Chile, which we believe will reach 120,000 metric tons and 21,500 metric tons respectively by the end of 2021. We also began expansions related to investthe mining and production facilities of nitrates and iodine in lithium projects outside Chile, starting with the Minera Exar project in Argentina and continuing with Mount Holland project in Australia in 2017.Chile.

Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 20152018 were as follows:

During 2017,2020, we had total capital expenditures of US$142.1322.2 million, a decrease compared to the US$450 million that was originally expected as a result in the delay of the purchasing of equipment. Our 2020 capital expenditure is primarily related to:

During 2016, we had total capital expenditures of US$131.3 million, primarily related to:

During 2015,2019, we had total capital expenditures of US$111.3321.3 million, primarily related to:

During 2018, we had total capital expenditures of US$244.7 million, primarily related to:

The Board of Directors has approved aWe believe that our capital expenditure frameworkexpenditures for 2018 of2021 could reach approximately US$517500 million focused on the maintenance of our production facilities in order to strengthen our ability to meet our production goals and to increase our production capacity, primarily in lithium. We estimate that we will invest approximately US$360 million in our operationsrelated to lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide capacity expansions and nitrates and iodine capacity in Chile including maintenanceand development of our production facilities, an additional expansionlithium project in Australia. We expect our installed capacity of lithium carbonate capacityand lithium hydroxide in Chile to 100,000reach approximately 120,000 and 21,500 metric tons completionrespectively by the second half of 2021, an increase of 50,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate and of 8,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide capacity expansion, the expansion of iodine production capacity in Nueva Victoria and the expansion of productive capacity of potassium nitrate in Coya Sur. Our projected investments of approximately US$157 million in projects outside Chile includecompared to our current effective capacity. We will also begin the development and purchase of long-lead time equipment in connection with the Mt. Holland lithium projects Minera Exarproject in Argentina and Mount Holland inWestern Australia. We do not expect that our 2018 capital investment program will require external financing. However, we always have the option to access capital markets in order to optimize our financial position.

4.B. Business Overview

The Company

We believe that we are the world’s largest producer of potassium nitrate and iodine and one of the world´s largest lithium producers. We also produce specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and certain industrial chemicals (including industrial nitrates and solar salts). Our products are sold in overapproximately 110 countries through our worldwide distribution network, with 93%91% of our sales in 20172020 derived from countries outside Chile.

Our products are mainly derived from mineral deposits found in northern Chile. We mine and process caliche ore and brine deposits. The caliche ore in northern Chile contains the only known nitrate and iodine deposits in the world and is the world’s largest commercially exploited source of natural nitrates. The brine deposits of the Salar de Atacama, a salt-encrusted depression in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, contain high concentrations of lithium and potassium as well as significant concentrations of sulfate and boron.

From our caliche ore deposits, we produce a wide range of nitrate-based products used for specialty plant nutrients and industrial applications, as well as iodine and iodine derivatives. At the Salar de Atacama, we extract brines rich in potassium, lithium, sulfate and boron in order to produce potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, lithium solutions and bischofite (magnesium chloride). We produce lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide at our plant near the city of Antofagasta, Chile, from the solutions brought from the Salar de Atacama. We market all of these products through an established worldwide distribution network.

Our products are divided into six categories: specialty plant nutrients; iodine and its derivatives; lithium and its derivatives; potassium chloride and potassium sulfate; industrial chemicals and other commodity fertilizers. Specialty plant nutrients are premium fertilizers that enable farmers to improve yields and the quality of certain crops. Our main specialty fertilizer is potassium nitrate, which is used primarily in high-value crops. Iodine and its derivatives are mainly used in the X-ray contrast media and biocides industries and in the production of polarizing film, which is an important component in LCD screens. Lithium and its derivatives are mainly used in batteries, greases and frits for production of ceramics. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer that is produced and sold by us worldwide. Potassium sulfate is a specialty fertilizer used primarily in crops such as vegetables, fruits and industrial crops. Industrial chemicals have a wide range of applications in certain chemical processes such as the manufacturing of glass, explosives and ceramics, and, more recently, industrialceramics. Industrial nitrates are also being used in concentrated solar power plants as a means for energy storage. In addition, we complement our product portfolio of plant nutrients through the buying and selling of other commodity fertilizers for use mainly in Chile.Chile and around the world.

For the year ended December 31, 2017,2020, we had revenues of US$2,157.31,817.2 million, gross profit of US$762.5482.9 million and profit attributable to controlling interests of US$427.7164.5 million. Our worldwide market capitalization as of December 31, 20172020 was approximately US$15.411.0 billion.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: We produce four main types of specialty plant nutrients:nutrients which offer nutritional solutions for fertigation, direct soil and foliar fertilizer applications: potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate and specialty blends. We also sell other specialty fertilizers including third party products. All of these specialty plant nutrientsproducts are used in either solid or liquid form mainly on high value crops such as vegetables, fruitsfruit, flowers and flowers. Our nutrientssome vegetables. These fertilizers are widely used in crops that employuse modern agricultural techniques such as hydroponics, green housing,greenhouses and crops with foliar application and fertigation (where(in the latter case, the fertilizer is dissolved in water prior tobefore irrigation) and foliar application. According to the type of use or application, our products are primarily marketed under the following brands: Ultrasol™ (fertigation), Qrop™ (open field application), Speedfol™ (foliar application) and Allganic™ (organic farming).

Specialty plant nutrients have certain advantages over commodity fertilizers, such as rapid and effective absorption (without requiring nitrification), superior water solubility, increased soil pH (which reduces soil acidity) and low chloride content. One of the most important products in this business line is potassium nitrate, which is sold in crystalline or prill form, allowing for multipledifferent application methods. Crystalline potassium nitrate products are ideal for application by fertigation and foliar sprays,applications, and potassium nitrate prills are suitable for direct soil applications.

We have developed brands for marketing according to the different applications and uses of our products. Our main brands are: Ultrasol^R (fertigation), Qrop^R (soil application), Speedfol^R (foliar application) and Allganic^R (organic agriculture).

The new needs of more sophisticated customers demand that the industry provide integrated solutions rather than individual products. Our products, including customized specialty blends that meet specific needs along with the agronomic service provided, allow us to create plant nutrition solutions that add value to crops through higher yields and better qualitybetter-quality production. Because our products are derived from natural nitrate compounds or natural potassium brines, they have certain advantages over synthetically produced fertilizers, includingfertilizers. One of the advantages of our products is the presence of certain beneficial trace elements, which makes them more attractive tovaluable for customers who prefer products of natural origin. As a result, specialty plant nutrients are sold at a premium price compared to commodity fertilizers.

Iodine and its Derivatives:We believe that we are the world’s leading producer of iodine and iodine derivatives, which are used in a wide range of medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications, including x-ray contrast media, polarizing films for LCD and LED, antiseptics, biocides and disinfectants, in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, electronics, pigments and dye components. We market iodine using the brand QIodine™.

Lithium and its Derivatives: We are a leading producer of lithium carbonate, which is used in a variety of applications, including electrochemical materials for batteries used in electric vehicles, portable computers, tablets, cellular telephones and electronic apparatus, frits for the ceramic and enamel industries, heat-resistant glass (ceramic glass), air conditioning chemicals, continuous casting powder for steel extrusion, primary aluminum smelting process, pharmaceuticals and lithium derivatives. We are also a leading supplier of lithium hydroxide, which is primarily used as an input for the lubricating greases industry and for certain cathodes for high energy capacity batteries. We market lithium using the following brands: QLithiumCarbonate™, QLithiumHydroxide™ and QLubelith™.

Potassium:We produce potassium chloride and potassium sulfate from brines extracted from the Salar de Atacama. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer used to fertilize a variety of crops including corn, rice, sugar, soybean and wheat. Potassium sulfate is a specialty fertilizer used mainly in crops such as vegetables, fruits and industrial crops.

Industrial Chemicals: We produce and sell three industrial chemicals: sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride. Sodium nitrate is used primarily in the production of glass, explosives, and metal treatment.treatment, metal recycling and the production of insulation materials, among other uses. Potassium nitrate is used in the manufacturing of specialty glass, and it is also an important raw material for the production of frits for the ceramics, enamel industries, metal treatment and enamel industries.pyrotechnics. Solar salts, a combination of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate, are used as a thermal storage medium in concentrated solar power plants. Potassium chloride is a basic chemical used to produce potassium hydroxide, and it is also used as an additive in oil drilling as well as in food processing, among other uses. We market our industrial chemicals using the following brands: QSodiumNitrate™,QPotassiumNitrate™, and QPotassiumChloride™.

Other Products and Services:We also sell other fertilizers and blends, some of which we do not produce. We are the largest company that produces and distributes the three main potassium sources: potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate and potassium chloride.

The following table shows the percentage breakdown of our revenues for 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 20152018 according to our product lines:

Business Strategy

Our business strategySQM is to be a global company with people committed to excellence, dedicated to the extraction of mineralsthat develops and selectively integrated in the production and sale ofproduces diverse products for theseveral industries essential for human development (e.g. food,progress, such as health, technology). This strategy was built onnutrition, renewable energy and technology through innovation and technological development. We aim to maintain our leading world position in the following five principles:lithium, potassium nitrate, iodine and thermo-solar salts markets by:

We are a dynamic company. In pursuit of our objectives, we expect to acquire and develop projects and interests that are consistent with our existing and new businesses, either alone or with joint venture partners. We may also divest or sell-down interests that we have acquired to deploy funds for other investments or other purposes in pursuit of our objectives or to adjust risk or diversify our asset base.

We are a company built and managed by a culture based on excellence, safety, sustainability and integrity. We work every day to expand this culture through the attraction, retention and development of talent as well encouraging an inclusive and diverse work environment ensuring the unique knowledge and innovation needed to sustain our business. We strive for safe and accident-free operations by promoting conduct that favors the physical safety and psychological well-being of everyone who works directly and indirectly with the Company.

We position ourselves as leaders in sustainability and commit to a sustainable future where we constantly work to responsibly manage natural resources, protect human rights, care for the environment, form close and trusting relationships with our neighboring communities and create value. Within these communities, we support projects and activities with a focus on education, business development, and protection of the environment and historical heritage. We create value for our clients through established commercial models and the production and development of differentiated products that respond to their industry and market specific needs, constantly creating and providing a sustainable improvement in the quality of life. We will continue to create value for all of our stakeholders through responsible management of natural resources, sustainable expansion projects and improvement of our existing operations, with a focus on minimizing our environmental impacts by reducing our carbon, energy and water footprints and working together with our shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and communities.

These principles are based on the following key concepts:

We have identified market demand in each of our major product lines, both within our existing customer base and in new markets, for existing products and for additional products that can be produced from our natural resources. To take advantage of these opportunities, we have developed specific strategies for each of our product lines.

Specialty Plant Nutrition

Our strategy in our specialty plant nutrition business is to: (i) leverage the advantages of our specialty products over commodity-type fertilizers; (ii) selectively expand our business by increasing our sales of higher margin specialty plant nutrients based on potassium and natural nitrates, particularly soluble potassium nitrate and NPKspecialty blends; (iii) pursue investment opportunities in complementary businesses to enhance our product portfolio, increase production, reduce costs, and add value to the marketing of our products; (iv) develop new specialty nutrient blends produced in our mixing plants that are strategically located in or near our principal markets in order to meet specific customer needs; (v) focus primarily on the markets where we can sell our plant nutrients in soluble and foliar applications in order to establish a leadership position; (vi) further develop our global distribution and marketing system directly and through strategic alliances with other producers and global or local distributors; (vii) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher labor productivity so as to compete more effectively and (viii) supply a product with consistent quality according to the specific requirements of our customers.

Iodine and its Derivatives

Our strategy in our iodine business is to: (i) reach and maintain oura sufficient market share of approximately one third of the iodine market in order to optimize the use of our available production capacity; (ii) encourage demand growth and promote new iodine uses; (iii) participate in iodine recycling projects through the Ajay-SQM Group (“ASG”); (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively and (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers.

Lithium and its Derivatives

Our strategy in our lithium business is to: (i) strategically allocate our sales of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide; (ii) encourage demand growth and promote new lithium uses; (iii) selectively pursue opportunities in the lithium derivatives business by creating new lithium compounds; (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively; (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers andcustomers; (vi) diversify our operations geographically and jurisdictionally.jurisdictionally; and (vii) diversifying our asset base or adjusting risk by acquiring new projects and interests (either alone or with joint venture partners), divesting existing projects or selling down our interests in projects.

Potassium

Our strategy in our potassium business is to: (i) offer a portfolio of potassium products, including potassium sulfate, potassium chloride and other fertilizers, to our traditional markets; (ii) have flexibility to offer crystalized (standard) or granular (compacted) form products according to market requirements; (iii) focus on markets where we have logistical advantages and synergies with our specialty plant nutrition business and (iv) supply a product with consistent quality according to the specific requirements of our customers.

Industrial Chemicals

Our strategy in our industrial chemical business is to: (i) maintain our leadership position in the industrial nitrates market as well as increase our supply of potassium chloride in markets where we have natural advantages;market; (ii) encourage demand growth in different applications as well as exploring new potential applications; (iii) becomeposition ourselves as a long-term, reliable supplier for the thermal storage industry, maintaining close relationships with R&D programs;programs and industrial initiatives; (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively and (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers.

New Business Ventures

We alwaysconstantly evaluate opportunities to expand inthat are consistent with our current core businesses or within new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages, both within and outside Chile, and we expect to continue to do so in the future.

We continuously explore the possibility of acquiring controlling stakes or other interests in companies that have mining properties and operations in our core business areasexisting and new businesses. Consistent with our business strategy, we will continue to evaluate acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances in our current and new businesses and, depending on all facts and circumstances, mayWe seek to acquire controlling stakes or other interests related to our core businessesin projects both inside and outside of Chile including other emerging markets.where we believe we have sustainable competitive advantages, and we hope to continue doing so in the future.

In addition, we are actively conducting exploration for metallic minerals in the mining properties we own. If such minerals are found, we may decide to exploit, sell or enter into an association to extract these resources. Our exploration efforts are currently focused on the layer of bedrock that lies beneath the caliche ore that we use as the primary raw material in the production of iodine and nitrates. This bedrock has significant potential for metallic mineralization, particularly copper and gold. A significant portion of our mining properties are located in the Antofagasta region of Chile, where many large copper producers operate.

We have an in-house geological exploration team that explores the area directly, identifying drilling targets and assessing new prospects. In 2017,2020, the team identified 13six new targets and confirmed mineralization in fourseveral of the targets, using its own truck-mounted drill rigs.targets. The number of perforated meters reached 28,00033,523 meters and were made with threeused four machines of which two were internal and the other external.owned by us. We also have a metal business development team that works to engage partners interested in investing in metal exploration within our mining properties. As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had tenfive option agreements in place with sevenfour mining companies including smalland private equity firms. We participated in the formation of two joint ventures as a result of exercising an option agreement with a junior mining companies, private equity firms and large mining companies.company.

Main Business Lines

Specialty Plant Nutrition

In 2020, specialty plant nutrients revenues decreased to US$701.7 million, representing 38.6% of our total revenues for that year. We believe that we are the world’s largest producer of potassium nitrate. We estimate that our 2020 sales volume represented approximately 51% of the total global potassium nitrate used for all applications, remaining flat with our sales volume in 2019. We estimate that our sales accounted for approximately 54%48% of global potassium nitrate sales for all applicationsagricultural uses by volume in 2017, an increase from 44% in 2016.2020. During 2017,2020, the agricultural potassium nitrate market increased by approximately 4%.5% when compared to 2019. These estimates do not include potassium nitrate produced and sold locally in China, only Chinese net imports and exports.

In addition to potassium nitrate, we produce the following specialty plant nutrients: sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate and specialty blends (containing various combinations of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and generally known as “NPK blends”).

Our specialty plant nutrients have specific characteristics that increase productivity and enhance quality when used on certain crops and soils. Our specialty plant nutrientsThe products have significant advantages for certain applications over commodity fertilizers based on other sources of nitrogen and potassium, such as urea and potassium chloride.

OurThe advantages of our specialty plant nutrients advantages are:include that they:

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Market

The target market for our specialty plant nutrients includes producers of high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, industrial crops, flowers, cotton and others. Furthermore, we sell specialty plant nutrients to producers of chloride-sensitive crops. Since 1990, the international market for specialty plant nutrients has grown at a faster rate than the international market for commodity-type fertilizers. This is mostly due to: (i) the application of new agricultural technologies such as fertigation and hydroponics, and the increasing use of greenhouses; (ii) the increase in the cost of land and the scarcity of water, which has forced farmers to improve their yields and reduce water use; and (iii) the increase in demand for higher quality crops, such as fruits and vegetables.crops.

Over the last ten years, the compound annual growth rate for vegetable production per capita was 3%, while the compound annual growth rate for the world population was closer to 1%.

Worldwide scarcity of water and arable land drives the development of new agricultural techniques to maximize the use of these resources. IrrigationA good example of this is the more efficient use of water through irrigation, which has grown at an average annual rate of 1% during the last 20 years (a pace similar to population growth). However, microirrigationMicro-irrigation, which results in even more efficient use of water, has grown at 10% per year over the same period. MicroirrigationMicro-irrigation systems, which include drip irrigation and micro-sprinklers, are the most efficient forms of technical irrigation. These applications require fully water-soluble plant nutrients. Our nitrate-based specialty plant nutrients are fully soluble in water and provide nitrogen in nitric form, which helps crops absorb these nutrients faster than they absorb urea- or ammonium-based fertilizers, facilitating a more efficient application of nutrients to the plant and thereby increasing the crop’s yield and improving its quality.

The ratiolowest global share of microirrigation tohectares under micro-irrigation over total irrigated hectares is in Asia, iswith a figure of approximately 3%, the lowest ratio of any region in the world.. This represents a high potential for microirrigation,the introduction of micro-irrigation in that region, which is reflected in the high growth rates in Asia in recent years.

Potassium nitrate in China is an important market in China, although currently its demand is largely fulfilled by domestic producers. DemandTotal demand of potassium nitrate in Asian countries totals approximately 400,000 to 420,000 metric tons, of which approximately 130,000 metric tons is related toneeded for the tobacco industry and approximately 120,000 metric tons is related to the horticulture business. Of the total, between 20,00015,000 and 30,00035,000 metric tons of potassium nitrate are imports.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Our Products

Potassium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, and specialty blends are higher margin products derived from, or consisting of,that use sodium nitrate and they are all producedas a feedstock. These products can be manufactured in crystallized or prilled form. Specialty blends are produced using our own specialty plant nutrients and other components at blending plants operated by us or our affiliates and related companies in Brazil, Chile, China, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, South Africa, Spain, and the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, China, India, Thailand, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and Peru.States.

The following table shows our sales volumes of and revenues from specialty plant nutrients for 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 2015:2018:

In 2020, our specialty plant nutrients revenues decreased to US$701.7 million, representing 39% of our total revenues for that year and a 3.1% decrease from US$723.9 million in specialty plant nutrients revenues in 2019. Prices decreased approximately 2.6% in 2020.

Depending on the systems used to apply specialty nutrients, fertilizers can be classified as specialty field fertilizers or water-soluble fertilizers.

Specialty field fertilizers are applied directly to the soil, manually or in a mechanized fashion. Their high solubility levels, lack of chlorinechloride and absence of acidic reactions make them particularly advantageous for tobacco, potatoes, coffee, cotton, and a wide range ofcertain fruits and vegetables.

Water-soluble fertilizers are specialty nutrients that are delivered to the crops using modern irrigation systems. As these systems feature refined technology, the products used in them must be highly soluble, rich in nutrients, free of impurities and insoluble substances, and with a low salinity index. The leading nutrient in this segment is potassium nitrate, whose optimal balance of nitric nitrogen and chlorine-freechloride-free potassium (the two macronutrients most needed by plants) make it an indispensable source of nutrition for crops that use modern irrigation systems.

Potassium nitrate is widely known to be a vital component in foliar feeding applications, where usage is recommended in order to stave off nutritional deficiencies before the first symptoms appear, correct any deficiencies that arise and prevent physiological stress. This nutrient also helps promote a suitable balance between fruit production and/or growth, and plant development, particularly in crops with physiological disorders.

Foliar feeding with potassium nitrate can have beneficial effects:

Another benefit of our potassium nitrate is that, according to a 2014 study by the consulting firm Arthur D. Little Benelux, our production process generates up to 40% less greenhouse gases compared to other major potassium nitrate producers in the world.

SQM has consolidated a product portfolio of over 200 specialty fertilizer blends, including topthe development of brands such as Ultrasol^TM®, for fertigation; Qrop^TM®, for application to the soil; Speedfol^TM®, for foliar feeding and Allganic^TM® for organic crops.

In recent years, we have added several products to our portfolio such as Qrop^TMKS was added to our portfolio of specialty field fertilizers in 2015. This product was developed by our research2015 and development team and is an improvement to existing products. It is more physically stable and is not required to be transported as hazardous cargo, which means it can be soldUltrasolution K® in other markets.2018.

During 2017 we worked on the restructuring ofWe have restructured the Qrop products portfolio: chlorine-freeportfolio to include a chloride-free line for direct application to the soil with a variety of specialized formulas and unique mixtures, which make these products highly accurate and quickly available for the plant. Ultrasolution K® addresses the need for potassium-free chloride and a nitrate safe for handling in the liquid fertilizer market, opening new opportunities for SQM in in the cultivation of almonds and strawberries, in which water quality and efficiency are very important.

Other products developed by our research and development team during 2020 include Ultrasoline®, Ultrasol K Acid®, ProP® and Prohydric®. Ultrasoline® is a new product that, together with potassium nitrate, incorporates iodine, an essential element for plants, allowing better root growth, optimal photosynthesis and better tolerance to oxidative stress, among other advantages.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Marketing and Customers

In 2017,2020, we sold our specialty plant nutrients in approximately 99102 countries and to more than 7001,100 customers. OneNo customer represented more than 10% of our specialty plant nutrition revenues during 2017, representing approximately 25% of our total specialty plant nutrition revenues,2020, and our ten largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 50%33% of revenues during that period. No supplier accounted for more than 10% of the costs of sales for this business line.

The table below shows the geographical breakdown of our revenues:

We sell our specialty plant nutrition products outside Chileglobally mainly through our own worldwide network of representativecommercial offices and through our distribution affiliates.distributors.

We maintain inventory of our specialty plant nutrients in our commercial offices in theour main markets of the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa in order to facilitate prompt deliveries to customers. In addition, we sell specialty plant nutrients directly to some of our large customers. Sales are made pursuant to spot purchase orders andor short-term contracts.

As part of our marketing strategy, we provide technical and agronomical assistance and support to our clients. We have specific knowledge resulting from extensive research and numerous studies conducted by our agronomical teams in close contact with producers throughout the world. The solid agronomical knowledge is key for the development of specific formulas and hydroponic and fertirrigationfertigation nutritional plans, which allows us to provide expert advice for producing crops that meet high quality standards for the most efficient markets and in the most environmentally challenging conditions.

By working closely with our customers, we are able to identify their needs for new products and a possible existence of higher-value-added markets. Our specialty plant nutrients are used on a wide variety of crops, particularly value-added crops, where the use of our products enables our customers to increase yields and achieve a premium price for their own products.

Our customers are located in both the northern and southern hemispheres.diverse latitudes. Consequently, we do not believe there are any seasonal or cyclical factors that can materially affect the sales of our specialty plant nutrients.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Joint Ventures and Agreements

Consistent with our business strategy, we regularly evaluate opportunities to expand in our current core businesses, including our specialty plant nutrition business, or within new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. We evaluate potential acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances with companies both within and outside of Chile, including in other emerging markets.

In May 2008, we signed a joint venture agreement with Migao for the production and distribution of specialty plant nutrients in China. Through the joint venture, we constructed a potassium nitrate plant with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year. The plant began operating in January 2011.

In May 2009, our subsidiary Soquimich European Holdings entered into an agreement with Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd. to create a joint venture for the production and distribution of water soluble fertilizers in India. The agreement established a 50⁄50 joint venture. As part of the agreement, a new 15,000 metric ton facility was constructed in the city of Kakinada to produce water soluble NPK grade fertilizers. This new facility began operating in January 2012.

In December 2009, we signed an agreement with the French Roullier Group to form the joint venture SQM Vitas. This agreement joins two of the largest companies in the businesses of specialty plant nutrition, specialty animal nutrition and professional hygiene. Peru, Brazil and Dubai are the main focus markets of this joint venture. As part of the agreement, our phosphate plant located in Dubai became part of this joint venture.

Between 2010 and 2012, we continued to expand our production capacity of potassium products in our operations in the Salar de Atacama. In 2011, we completed the construction of a new potassium nitrate facility in Coya Sur, increasing our overall production capacity of potassium nitrate by 300,000 metric tons.

In 2012, SQM Vitas started the construction of new plants in Brazil (Candeias), Peru and South Africa (Durban) for the production of water soluble fertilizers containing different relative amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and at times, smaller amounts of other chemicals. The Candeias Industrial Complex plant in Brazil began operating in March 2012 and has a production capacity of 25,000 metric tons per year.

In 2013, the operations of SQM Vitas in Spain began with a water soluble NPK fertilizer plant that has a production capacity of 15,000 metric tons per year. In 2016 this operation became fully controlled by SQM.

In 2015, an asset transfer agreement, that was signed in December 2014 between Plantacote BV and Plantacote NV, entered into effect. As a result of this agreement, the business and Plantacote® brand were transferred to the new company Plantacote NV, but with no changes to the business or the Controlled Release Fertilizer project. SQM continues to hold a 50% ownership stake in the company.

In 2015, SQM Vitas South Africa, was acquired by Roulliers. As a result, Roullier manages the operations, and the production facilities are owned by SQM.

In 2016, we began operating soluble specialty plant nutrient production facilities through our joint ventures in Peru and the Netherlands, and a third facility in Mexico. In addition, a new logistics terminal was opened in the port of Terneuzen in the Netherlands.

In 2017, two new offices started their operations in Imbituba and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Fertilizer Sales in Chile

We market specialty plant nutrients in Chile through our subsidiary Soquimich Comercial S.A. (“SQMC”).

SQMC is one of the main players in the Chilean market, offering a wide range of products developed specifically for the crops grown in the country which require specialty plant nutrients.

SQMC sells local products as well as products imported from different countries around the world.

All contracts and agreements between SQMC and its foreign suppliers of fertilizers contain standard and customary commercial terms and conditions. SQMC has been able to obtain adequate supplies of these products with good pricing conditions.

SQMC’s fertilizertotal sales represented approximately 24% of total fertilizer salesreached US$118 million and US$128 million in Chile during 2017. No customer accounted for2020 and 2019, respectively. During 2020, no client represented more than 10% of SQMC’s revenues in 2017. SQMC’s consolidated revenues werethe sales of the Company. According to the customs information related to fertilizers, the market participation of fertilizers imported directly by SQMC during 2020 was approximately US$133 million and US$150 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.22%.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Competition

The principal means of competition in the sale of potassium nitrate are product quality, customer service, location, logistics, agronomic expertise and price.

We believe that we are the world’s largest producer of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate for agricultural use. Our sodium nitrate products compete indirectly with specialty and commodity-typecommodity substitutes, which may be used by some customers instead of sodium nitrate depending on the type of soil and crop to which the product will be applied. Such substitute products include calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate.

In the potassium nitrate market, our largest competitor is Haifa Chemicals Ltd. (“Haifa”), in Israel, which is a subsidiary of Trans Resources International Inc. We estimate that sales of potassium nitrate by Haifa accounted for approximately 18% of total world sales during 20172020 (excluding sales by Chinese producers to the domestic Chinese market). Haifa Chemicals had production issues during 2017 and is currently operating at its 50% capacity (one plant). Our sales accounted for approximately 54%48% of global potassium nitrate sales by volume for the period.

ACF, another Chilean producer,proucer, mainly oriented to iodine production, has produced potassium nitrate from caliche ore and potassium chloride since 2005. Kemapco, a Jordanian producer owned by Arab Potash, produces potassium nitrate in a plant located close to the Port of Aqaba, Jordan. In addition, there are several potassium nitrate producers in China, the largest of which are Yuantong and Migao. Most of the Chinese production is consumed by the Chinese domestic market.

In Chile, our products mainly compete with imported fertilizer blends that use calcium ammonium nitrate or potassium magnesium sulfate. Our specialty plant nutrients also compete indirectly with lower-priced synthetic commodity-type fertilizers such as ammonia and urea, which are produced by many producers in a highly price-competitive market. Our products compete on the basis of advantages that make them more suitable for certain applications as described above.

Iodine and its Derivatives

We believe that we are the world’s largest producer of iodine. In 2017,2020, our revenues from iodine and iodine derivatives amounted to US$252.1334.7 million, representing 12%18.4% of our total revenues in that year. We estimate that our sales accounted for approximately 35%28% of worldglobal iodine sales by volume in 2017.2020.

Iodine: Market

Iodine and iodine derivatives are used in a wide range of medical, agricultural and industrial applications as well as in human and animal nutrition products. Iodine and iodine derivatives are used as raw materials or catalysts in the formulation of products such as X-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds and pigments. Iodine is also added in the form of potassium iodate or potassium iodide to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

X-ray contrast media is the leading application of iodine, accounting for approximately 23% of demand. Iodine’s high atomic number and density make it ideally suited for this application, as its presence in the body can help to increase contrast between tissues, organs, and blood vessels with similar X-ray densities. Other applications include pharmaceuticals, which we believe account for 13% of demand; LCD and LED screens, 12%; iodophors and povidone-iodine, 9%; animal nutrition, 8%; fluoride derivatives, 7%; biocides, 5%6%; nylon, 4%; human nutrition, 3%4% and other applications, 16%14%.

During 2017,2020, iodine demand was impacted significantly due to the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, with total global demand decreasing by approximately 9% to 33,200 metric tons. Although the decrease in demand occurred across product lines, two uses of iodine had growth compared to 2019: the use of povidone-iodine grew at a higher rate than seen in 2016. Although more traditional usesby 6%, and the use of iodine for human nutrition grew atby 1%. It is expected that the same rate asmajority of iodine applications will begin to recover demand during the previous year, new applications in the specialty plastics and carbon energy plants emission control industries resulted in market demand. We estimate that the global market size in 2017 was approximately 35,300 metric tons, with approximately 59%course of supply coming from Chilean producers, including us.2021.

Iodine: Our Products

We produce iodine in our Nueva Victoria plant, near Iquique, and our Pedro de Valdivia plant, close to María Elena. We have a total effective production capacity of approximately 11,00014,800 metric tons per year of iodine, including the Iris plant, which is located close to the Nueva Victoria plant.

Through ASG, we produce organic and inorganic iodine derivatives. ASG was established in the mid-1990s and has production plants in the United States, Chile and France. ASG is one of the world’s leading inorganic and organic iodine derivatives producer.

Consistent with our business strategy, we are constantly working on the development of new applications for our iodine-based products, pursuing a continuing expansion of our businesses and maintaining our market leadership.

We manufacture our iodine and iodine derivatives in accordance with international quality standards and have qualified our iodine facilities and production processes under the ISO-9001:2008ISO 9001:2015 program, providing third party certification of the quality management system and international quality control standards that we have implemented.

The following table shows our total sales volumes and revenues from iodine and iodine derivatives for 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 2015:2018:

Our revenues increaseddecreased to US$252.1334.7 million in 20172020 from US$231.1371.0 million in 2016.2019. This increasedecrease was primarily attributable to the increase in iodinelower sales volumevolumes during 2017.2020. Average iodine prices were more than 12% lower18.9% higher in 20172020 than in 2016.2019. Our sales volumes increased 24%decreased 24.1% in 2017, outpacing global iodine demand growth.2020.

Iodine: Marketing and Customers

In 2017,2020, we sold our iodine products in approximately 5247 countries to approximately 287250 customers, and most of our sales were exports. ThreeTwo customers each accounted for more than 10% of our iodine revenues in 2017.2020. These threetwo customers accounted for approximately 43%42% of revenues, and our ten largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 77% of revenues. No supplier accounted for more than 10% of the cost of sales of this business line.

The following table shows the geographical breakdown of our revenues:

We sell iodine through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our sales, support and distribution affiliates. We maintain inventories of iodine at our facilities throughout the world to facilitate prompt delivery to customers. Iodine sales are made pursuant to spot purchase orders or within the framework of supply agreements. Supply agreements generally specify annual minimum and maximum purchase commitments, and prices are adjusted periodically, according to prevailing market prices.

Iodine: Competition

The world’s main iodine producers are based in Chile, Japan and the United States. Iodine is also produced in Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and China.

Iodine is produced in Chile using a unique mineral known as caliche ore, whereas in Japan, the United States, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia, producers extract iodine from underground brines that are mainly obtained together with the extraction of natural gas and petroleum. In China, iodine is extracted from seaweed.

Five Chilean companies accounted for approximately 59%55% of total global sales of iodine in 2017,2020, including SQM, with approximately 35%28%, and four other producers accounting for the remaining 24%27%. The other Chilean producers are:are Atacama Chemical S.A. (Cosayach), controlled by the Chilean holding company Inverraz S.A.; ACF Minera S.A., owned by the Chilean family Urruticoechea;Urruticoechea family; Algorta Norte S.A., a joint venture between ACF Minera S.A. and Toyota Tsusho; and Atacama Minerals, recently acquiredwhich is owned by Chinese company Tewoo.

We estimate that eight Japanese iodine producers accounted for approximately 28% of global iodine sales in 2017,2020, including recycled iodine.

We estimate that iodine producers in the United States (one of which is owned by Toyota Tsusho and another is owned by Ise Chemicals Ltd., both of which are Japanese companies) accounted for nearly 5% of world iodine sales in 2017.2020.

Iodine recycling is a growing trend worldwide. Several producers have recycling facilities where they recover iodine and iodine derivatives from iodine waste streams. Iodine recycling, mainly related to LCD and LED consumption, has reduced during the past year and currently represents approximately 17% of world iodine sales. It is estimated that approximately 70% of total world iodine recycling was done by Japanese iodine producers.

We estimate the 19% of the iodine supply comes from iodine recycling. Through ASG or alone, we are also actively participating in the iodine recycling business using iodinated side-streams from a variety of chemical processes in Europe and the United States.

The prices of iodine and iodine derivative products are determined by market conditions. World iodine prices vary depending upon, among other things, the relationship between supply and demand at any given time. Iodine supply varies primarily as a result of the production levels of the iodine producers (including us) and their respective business strategies. Our annual average iodine sales prices decreasedincreased to approximately US$2035 per kilogram in 2017, continuing2020, from the downward trendaverage sales prices of approximately US$29 per kilogram observed in 2016. However, we believe that 2018 presents better price prospects.2019.

Demand for iodine varies depending upon overall levels of economic activity and the level of demand in the medical, pharmaceutical, industrial and other sectors that are the main users of iodine and iodine-derivative products. Certain substitutes for iodine are available for certain applications, such as antiseptics and disinfectants, which could represent a cost-effective alternative to iodine depending on prevailing prices.

The main factors of competition in the sale of iodine and iodine derivative products are reliability, price, quality, customer service and the price and availability of substitutes. We believe we have competitive advantages compared to other producers due to the size and quality of our mining reserves and the available production capacity. We believe our iodine is competitive with that produced by other manufacturers in certain advanced industrial processes. We also believe we benefit competitively from the long-term relationships we have established with our largest customers.

Lithium and its Derivatives

In 2020, our revenues from lithium sales amounted to US$383.4 million, representing 21.1% of our total revenues. We believe we are one of the world’s largest producers of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. In 2017, our revenues from lithium sales amounted to US$644.6 million, representing 30% of our total revenues. Wehydroxide, and we estimate that our sales volumes accounted for approximately 23%19% of the global lithium chemicals sales volumes.

Lithium: Market

The lithium market can be divided into (i) lithium minerals for direct use (in which market SQM does not participate directly), (ii) basic lithium chemicals, which include lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide (as well as lithium chloride, from which lithium carbonate may be made), and (iii) inorganic and organic lithium derivatives, which include numerous compounds produced from basic lithium chemicals (in which market SQM does not participate directly).

Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are principally used to produce the cathodes for rechargeable batteries, taking advantage of lithium’s extreme electrochemical potential and low density. Batteries are the leading application for lithium, accounting for approximately 59%75% of total lithium demand, including batteries for electric vehicles, which accounted for approximately 27%54% of total lithium demand.

There are many other applications both for basic lithium chemicals and lithium derivatives, such as lubricating greases (approximately 9%5% of total lithium demand), heat-resistant glass (ceramic glass) (approximately 5% of total lithium demand), chips for the ceramics and glaze industry (approximately 4%2% of total lithium demand), chemicals for air conditioning (approximately 3%1% of total lithium demand), and many others, including air treatment systems, pharmaceutical synthesis and metal alloys.

Lithium’s main properties, which facilitate its use in this range of applications, are that it:

During 2017,2020, lithium chemicals demand increased by approximately 17%6%, reaching approximately 212,000330,000 metric tons, with close to 37% supplied by Chilean producers.tons. We expect applications related to energy storage to continue driving demand in the coming years.

Lithium: Our Products

We produce lithium carbonate at our Salar del Carmen facilities, near Antofagasta, Chile, from highly concentrated lithium chloride produced in the Salar de Atacama, as a by-product of the potassium chloride production.Atacama. The annual production capacity of our lithium carbonate plant at the Salar del Carmen is 48,000now 70,000 metric tons per year. During 2018, we plan to increaseWe are in the process of increasing our production capacity to 70,000180,000 metric tons per year and start the preparation for the further expansion to 100,000 metric tons per year in 2019.year. We believe that the technologies we use, together with the high concentrations of lithium and the characteristics of the Salar de Atacama, such as high evaporation rate and concentration of other minerals, allow us to be one of the lowest cost producers worldwide.

We also produce lithium hydroxide at the same plant at the Salar del Carmen, next to the lithium carbonate operation. The lithium hydroxide facility has a production capacity of 6,00013,500 metric tons per year and is one of the largest plantswe are in the world. During 2018, we plan to increaseprocess of increasing this production capacity to 13,50030,000 metric tons per year through increased efficiencies andyear. In addition, in February 2021 our Board approved the constructioninvestment for our 50% share of the development costs in the Mt. Holland lithium project in our joint venture with Wesfarmers, which we expect will have a 7,000total production capacity of 50,000 metric ton plant.tons.

The following table shows our total sales volumes and revenues from lithium carbonate and its derivatives for 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 2015:2018:

Our revenues in 20172020 were US$644.6383.4 million, a 25% increase24.2% decrease from US$514.6505.7 million in 2016,2019, due to significantly higherlower prices during the year. The average price for 20172020 was approximately 25% higher47.1% lower than the average price in 2016, as global demand growth outpaced supply growth.2019.

Lithium: Marketing and Customers

In 2017,2020, we sold our lithium products in approximately 42 countries to approximately 198187 customers, and most of our sales were to customers outside of Chile. Two customers eachOne customer accounted for more than 10% of our lithium revenues in 2017,2020, accounting for approximately 22%12% of our lithium revenues. Our ten largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 68%58% of revenues. Only oneNo supplier accounted for overmore than 10% of the cost of sales of this business line, accountingline. We make lease payments to Corfo which are associated with the sale of different products produced in the Salar de Atacama, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and potassium chloride. See Note 24.2 to our consolidated financial statements for approximately 14%the disclosure of the cost of sales.lease payments made to Corfo for all periods presented.

The following table shows the geographical breakdown of our revenues:

We sell lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our sales, support and distribution affiliates. We maintain inventories of these products at our facilities throughout the world to facilitate prompt delivery to customers. Sales of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are made pursuant to spot purchase orders or within the framework of supply agreements. Supply agreements generally specify annual minimum and maximum purchase commitments, and prices are adjusted periodically, according to prevailing market prices. In December 2020, we signed a nine-year sales contract with LG Energy Solution for up to 55,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent.

Lithium: Competition

Lithium is produced mainly from two sources: (i) concentrated brines and (ii) minerals. During 2017,2020, the main lithium brines producers were Chile, Argentina and China, while the main lithium mineral producers were Australia and China. With total sales of approximately 49,70064,600 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE),and hydroxide, SQM’s market share of lithium chemicals was approximately 23%19% in 2017.2020. One of our main competitors is Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”), which produces lithium carbonate and lithium chloride in Chile and the United States, along with lithium derivatives in the United States, Germany, Taiwan and China, with a market share of approximately 16%22%. Albemarle also owns 49% of Talison Lithium Pty Ltd. (“Talison”), an Australian company, that is the largest producer of concentrated lithium minerals in the world, based in Western Australia. The remaining 51% of Talison is owned by Sichuan Tianqi Lithium IndustriesCorp. (“Tianqi”), a Chinese company producing basic lithium chemicals in China from concentrated lithium minerals. Talison sells a part of its concentrated lithium mineral production to the direct use market, but most of its production, representing approximately 27%21% of total lithium chemical demand, is converted into basic lithium chemicals in China by Tianqi and Albemarle. Currently, Tianqi is planning to begin production at its lithium hydroxide plant in Australia, which is expected to be operational during 2021. Tianqi is also a significant shareholder of ours, holding approximately 25.86% of our shares. Albemarle plans to begin production at its lithium hydroxide plant in Australia in late 2021.

Another important competitor is FMCLivent Corporation (“FMC”Livent”), with an estimated market share of approximately 9%6%. FMCLivent has production facilities in Argentina through Minera del Altiplano S.A., where it produces lithium chloride and lithium carbonate. In addition, FMCLivent produces lithium derivatives in the United States, and in the United Kingdom.Kingdom and China. Orocobre Ltd. is also, based in Argentina, and produces lithium carbonate, reachingwith a market share of approximately 5%3%.

During 2017,Australia is an important source of concentrated lithium minerals. Since 2018, two companies startedproducers have doubled their production of concentrated lithium minerals in Western Australia,mineral, which areis then converted into lithium chemicals in China. Together,One of these companies sell approximately 11% ofproducers is a joint venture between Ganfeng Lithium Co. (“Ganfeng”) and Mineral Resources Ltd in the total lithium demand in 2017. These companies are NeometalsMt. Marion project. Galaxy Resources Ltd. is another important producer with operations in Mt. Marion, one ofCattlin. Additionally, Pilbara Minerals (which recently acquired Altura Mining), both produce from the owners is Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. (“Ganfeng”), a Chinese company producing basic chemicals and lithium derivatives, and Galaxy Resources Ltd., with operations in Mt. Cattlin.Pilgangoora deposit. In addition, there were at least ten other companies producing lithium in China from brines or minerals which together represented about 9% of the global market in 2017.2020.    

We believe that lithium production will continue to increase in the near future, balancing the explosive growth in demand.response to an increase in demand growth. A number of new projects to develop lithium deposits has been announced recently. Some of these projects are already in the advanced stages of development and others could materialize in the medium term.

Potassium

In 2020, our potassium chloride and potassium sulfate revenues amounted to US$209.3 million, representing 11.5% of our total revenues and a 1.3% decrease compared to 2019, as a result of decreased average prices. We estimate that we accounted for approximately 1% of global sales of potassium chloride in 2020.

We produce potassium chloride and potassium sulfate by extracting brines from the Salar de Atacama that are rich in potassium chloride and other salts.

Potassium is one of the three macronutrients that a plant needs to develop. Although potassium does not form part of a plant’s structure, it is essential to the development of its basic functions. Potassium chloride is the most commonly used potassium-based fertilizer. It is used to fertilize crops that can tolerate relatively high levels of chloride, and to fertilize crops that are grown under conditions with sufficient rainfall or irrigation practices that prevent chloride from accumulating to excess levels in the rooting systems of the plant.

Some benefits that may be obtained through the use of potassium are:

Potassium chloride is also an important component for our specialty plant nutrition product line, where it is used as a raw material to produce potassium nitrate.

Since 2009, our effective end product capacity has increased to over 2 million metric tons per year, granting us improved flexibility and market coverage.

In 2017, our potassium chloride and potassium sulfate revenues amounted to US$379.3 million, representing 18% of our total revenues and a 6% decrease compared to 2016, as a result of reduced sales volumes.

Potassium: Market

During the last decade, growth in demand for potassium chloride, and for fertilizers in general, has been driven by several key factors, such as a growing world population, higher demand for protein-based diets and less arable land. All of these factors contribute to fertilizer demand growth as a result of efforts to maximize crop yields and use resources more efficiently. For the last ten years, the compound annual growth for the global potassium chloride market was approximately 1-2%1 to 2%. We estimate that demand totaled approximately 63increased 3 million metric tons in 2017, an increase from 592020, reaching approximately 67 million tons in 2016.metric tons.

According to studies prepared by the International Fertilizer Industry Association, cereals account for approximately 45% of world potassium consumption, including corn (14%), rice (13%) and wheat (3%). Oilseeds, predominantly soybeans and palm oil, represent approximately 16% of total potassium demand. Fruits and vegetables account for approximately 22% of world potassium demand, and sugar crops account for close to 7%.

Potassium: Our Products

Potassium chloride differs from our specialty plant nutrition products because it is a commodity fertilizer and contains chloride. We offer potassium chloride in two grades: standard and compacted. Potassium sulfate is considered a specialty fertilizer and we offer this product in soluble grades.

The following table shows our sales volumes of and revenues from potassium chloride and potassium sulfate for 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 2015:2018:

Our revenues in 2020 were US$209.3 million, a 1.3% decrease from US$212.2 million in 2019, due to significantly lower prices during the year. Our sales volumes in 2020 were approximately 21.7% higher than sales volumes reported last year.

Potassium: Marketing and Customers

In 2017,2020, we sold potassium chloride and potassium sulfate to approximately 530509 customers in over 80approximately 41 countries. There were twoNo individual customers that eachcustomer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate in 2017, totaling approximately 21% of the revenues of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate during this period.2020. We estimate that our ten largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 55%38% of such revenues. One supplier accounted for more than 10% of the cost of sales of this business line, accounting for approximately 16%11% of the cost of sales for the business line. We make lease payments to Corfo which are associated with the sale of different products produced in the Salar de Atacama, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and potassium chloride. See Note 24.2 to our consolidated financial statements for the disclosure of lease payments made to Corfo for all periods presented.