Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash)

HS v2017 Code: 281520

About potassium hydroxide (caustic potash)

HS code 281520 covers potassium hydroxide, also known as caustic potash. This chemical compound is a critical industrial input, finding widespread use in the production of various products, from soap and detergents to fertilizers and pharmaceuticals. As a key component in the chemical industry, potassium hydroxide plays a vital role in the broader economy, enabling the manufacture of essential goods and facilitating numerous industrial processes.

Production process

Potassium hydroxide is primarily produced through the electrolysis of potassium chloride solutions. This process involves passing an electric current through a solution of potassium chloride, which causes the potassium ions to migrate to the cathode, where they react with water to form potassium hydroxide. The resulting solution is then concentrated and purified to obtain the desired potassium hydroxide product.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of potassium hydroxide include potassium chloride, water, and electricity. Potassium chloride serves as the raw material, while water is used in the electrolysis process. Electricity is a crucial input, as it powers the electrolysis equipment and enables the chemical transformation to occur.

Production outputs

The primary output of HS code 281520 is potassium hydroxide, which is then used as an input in the production of various other products. Some of the industries that consume potassium hydroxide include 282520 Potassium salts, 340220 Cleaning preparations, 310520 Mineral or chemical fertilizers, and 300490 Medicaments. Potassium hydroxide is a versatile chemical that finds applications in a wide range of industries, contributing to the development of numerous essential goods and services.

Revisions to 281520

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 281520. The most recent 1 version of this code (281520) is in the HS v2022 system:

This page shows a legacy version of code 281520 ( HS v2017).

Newer versions

Family tree for potassium hydroxide (caustic potash)

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/28'>28: Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2815'>2815: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassium</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/281520'>281520: Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash)</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/281511'>281511: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); solid</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/281512'>281512: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda)</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/281530'>281530: Peroxides of sodium or potassium</a>"]

    

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    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
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    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
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  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight