SO4
SO4 is a privately held Australian producer of premium, low-chloride Sulphate of Potash (SOP), extracted from hypersaline brine at its Lake Way solar evaporation operation and sold globally to agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders serving high-value crops.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersPerth, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SO4 does
SO4 is a privately held Australian producer of premium Sulphate of Potash (SOP), headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, with integrated production operations at Lake Way in the northern goldfields region. The company, founded in 2010 (originally as Salt Lake Potash Limited) and acquired by Sev.en Global Investments in October 2022, extracts hypersaline brine from Lake Way via 88 production bores and 86km of trenches feeding a multi-stage solar evaporation pond system with a 6.5GL buffer (Williamson Pit), then refines the harvested salts in a 250ktpa process plant using crushing, flotation, Schoenite conversion, and rotary crystallisation to produce high-purity, low-chloride SOP. The product portfolio comprises three SKUs — SOP Precision (water-soluble fertigation grade, 95% dissolved in 60 seconds), SOP Premium (high-K granular, 2–4mm), and SOP Prime (standard, 18% sulphur) — packaged in 25kg bags, 1.35t bulk bags, or bulk-truck loads.
SO4's commercial model is direct B2B sales via an enterprise field sales team targeting global agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders that serve high-value fruit, vegetable, and nut crops requiring chloride-free potassium nutrition. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts; no public price list exists. Marketing is digital-first (corporate website, LinkedIn, YouTube, newsletter) with sustainability, low-emission production (over one-third lower carbon than the Mannheim process), and OMRI/CE certifications as key differentiators. The company holds OMRI listing for North American organic markets, CE conformity under EU Regulation FPR 2019/1009, and is pursuing ECOCERT certification.
Operations are anchored by a November 2019 Land Access Agreement with the Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC), securing tenure and cultural-licence to operate over a Registered Aboriginal Site, and supported by community partnerships in the Wiluna region. SO4 achieved first commercial SOP production in July 2024 and a second production milestone in July 2025, and is in active ramp-up against the 250ktpa nameplate capacity with ongoing hiring across Technical Services, Process Plant, Maintenance, and head-office functions.
SO4 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SO4
- Legal name
- Salt Lake Potash Limited
- Website
- https://so4.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SO4 is a privately held Australian producer of premium, low-chloride Sulphate of Potash (SOP), extracted from hypersaline brine at its Lake Way solar evaporation operation and sold globally to agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders serving high-value crops.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SO4 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Potash Fertilizers
- NAICS
- Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Potash Fertilizers (MOP/KCl, SOP/K2SO4, Potassium Nitrate) (AFABABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Potash Fertilizers (MOP/SOP) (IMAEAEAC)
Keywords
Where SO4 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perth
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
SO4 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- SOP Product Sales: SO4 generates revenue from selling three SOP product variants (SOP Prime, SOP Premium, SOP Precision) produced at its Lake Way plant with 250ktpa nameplate capacity. Products are sold in packaged form (25kg bags, 1.35t bulk bags) or bulk-loaded directly to customers including agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders. The company has achieved first commercial production milestones in July 2024 and July 2025.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | SOP Precision — Water Soluble SOP, Fertigation Grade |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | SOP Premium — High K Granular SOP |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | SOP Prime — Standard SOP |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
SO4 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SO4 extracts hypersaline brine from Lake Way in Western Australia and converts it into high-purity Sulphate of Potash (SOP) at a 250ktpa nameplate processing plant. The company produces three SOP grades — SOP Precision (water-soluble, fertigation grade), SOP Premium (high-K granular), and SOP Prime (standard grade) — sold in 25 kg bags, 1.35 t bulk bags, and bulk truck loads to agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders globally.
Product overview
SO4 is a premium Sulphate of Potash (SOP) producer offering three product variants: SOP Precision (water soluble fertigation grade), SOP Premium (granular form for bulk blending and basal applications), and SOP Prime (standard grade for direct application and NPK compound production). All three SOP products are produced via a sustainable brine evaporation and solar concentration process at the Lake Way operation in Western Australia, with the sun as the primary energy source, significantly reducing environmental impact compared to conventional Mannheim process production.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SOP Precision: Water Soluble SOP for fertigation applications with class leading dissolution characteristics (53% K2O, <0.1% chloride, <0.09% insoluble material, 95% dissolved in 60 seconds).
- SOP Premium
- SOP Prime
Products and services
- SOP Precision Water-soluble SOP designed for fertigation applications, with class-leading dissolution characteristics (95% dissolved in 60 seconds) and total solubility of 11.9 g/100 g H2O. Contains 53% K2O and <0.1% chloride; OMRI listed and pending ECOCERT certification.
- SOP Premium High-potassium granular SOP for basal applications and bulk blending, with 52% K2O, <0.1% chloride, granule particle size of 2-4 mm, and class-leading crush strength; OMRI listed and pending ECOCERT certification.
- SOP Prime Standard SOP for direct application and Compound (Complex) NPK production, containing 53% K2O, <1.0% chloride, and 18% Sulphur; OMRI listed and pending ECOCERT certification. Achieved first commercial production in July 2024.
Quantifiable outcome
- Emissions reduced by over one-third compared to conventional Mannheim SOP production process
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use SO4
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SO4 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SO4 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC)coreSO4 entered into a comprehensive Land Access Agreement (LAA) with TMPAC in November 2019, securing tenure and approval for the Lake Way Project. The partnership supports heritage protection, jobs, business growth, and lasting social and economic benefits for Aboriginal communities. TMPAC represents the native title holders of the land on which SO4's operations are based.
- Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health ServiceminorSO4 partners with Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health Service for the provision of pre-employment and employee medical support services, supporting the health and wellbeing of the local Aboriginal workforce.
- Wiluna Remote Community SchoolminorSO4 actively supports education and training initiatives at Wiluna Remote Community School for future generations, contributing to community development and local workforce pipeline.
- Shire of WilunaminorSO4 collaborates with the Shire of Wiluna on community investment opportunities, supporting local government and broader community development in the Wiluna region.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SO4 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ICL Group: Israel-based specialty fertilizer producer with a dedicated SOP product portfolio (e.g., FertilizerPlus and soluble SOP grades) sold to fertigation specialists, organic growers, and blenders globally. Comparable in product mix (water-soluble and granular SOP grades) and customer segments.
- Tessenderlo Group: Belgian specialty chemicals group producing SOP and other sulphate-based fertilizers for agricultural customers in Europe and globally. Directly comparable on SOP manufacturing, chloride-free positioning, and sales into fertilizer blenders and distributors.
- K+S AG: German-listed potash and salt producer with a significant SOP product line (KALISOP) sold globally to fertilizer blenders and distributors. Closely comparable business model: extracting and processing potash into premium chloride-free SOP for agricultural markets.
- SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile): NYSE-listed specialty plant nutrition company producing water-soluble SOP and potassium nitrate for high-value crop, fertigation, and hydroponic markets. Comparable on premium water-soluble specialty fertilizer positioning and global distribution.
- Compass Minerals International: NYSE-listed producer of sulphate of potash (SOP) and other specialty plant nutrients. Directly comparable to SO4 as a primary global SOP manufacturer serving agricultural and industrial customers with similar grade specifications and chloride-free positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Yara International: Global nitrogen and specialty fertilizer producer with a meaningful SOP and compound fertilizer portfolio. Comparable on enterprise sales to agribusinesses and distributors, and on premium-grade positioning, though SOP is one of many products in its portfolio.
- Nutrien Ltd. World's largest crop inputs provider, producing and distributing a broad range of fertilizers including SOP. Comparable as a large-scale incumbent with global distribution reach to agribusinesses, distributors, and blenders — though SOP is a smaller part of its portfolio than for dedicated SOP producers.
- Mosaic Company: Major global crop nutrition company producing potash and phosphate fertilizers, including premium SOP products. Comparable as a large fertilizer incumbent with global sales to distributors and agribusinesses, though its core focus is on MOP and phosphate rather than dedicated SOP.
Emerging players
- Trigg Mining: ASX-listed Australian SOP developer pursuing brine-based solar evaporation production from sulphate-rich lake brines. Highly comparable as an emerging Australian competitor with the same solar evaporation route and similar target product (SOP) for the global fertilizer market.
- Agrimin Limited: ASX-listed Australian SOP developer advancing the Mackay SOP project targeting premium fertilizer markets. Comparable as an emerging Australian SOP competitor pursuing similar brine-based production for chloride-free premium agricultural markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SO4 social profiles
Digital presenceSO4 compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
SO4 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SO4 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
SO4 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SO4 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SO4
What does SO4 do?
SO4 extracts hypersaline brine from Lake Way in Western Australia and converts it into high-purity Sulphate of Potash (SOP) at a 250ktpa nameplate processing plant. The company produces three SOP grades — SOP Precision (water-soluble, fertigation grade), SOP Premium (high-K granular), and SOP Prime (standard grade) — sold in 25 kg bags, 1.35 t bulk bags, and bulk truck loads to agribusinesses, distributors, and fertiliser blenders globally.
Is SO4 a public or private company?
SO4 is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was SO4 founded?
SO4 was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SO4 based?
SO4 is headquartered in Perth, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does SO4 make money?
One revenue line is on record: SOP Product Sales.
Who are SO4's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ICL Group, Tessenderlo Group, K+S AG, SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile) and Compass Minerals International. Broad incumbents are Yara International, Nutrien Ltd. and Mosaic Company. Emerging players are Trigg Mining and Agrimin Limited.
Does SO4 have an API?
No public API is recorded for SO4.
What industry is SO4 in?
SO4's product category is Specialty Potash Fertilizers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABABAC, Potash Fertilizers (MOP/KCl, SOP/K2SO4, Potassium Nitrate), with a secondary code of IMAEAEAC, Potash Fertilizers (MOP/SOP). Its NAICS code is 32531 and its SIC code is 2870.