Extraction and processing of saline raw materials by solution mining into potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride and brines in Bleicherode.
DEUSA International GmbH
Bleicherode · Kehmstedt · Breitenworbis (OT Bernterode) · SollstedtNew on Amplifa
About DEUSA International
DEUSA International GmbH is a long-established potash company headquartered in Bleicherode, Thuringia. In the Bleicherode Chemical Industry Park, the company produces potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride and various brines of technical quality. Raw material extraction is carried out by underground solution mining (selective carnallitite solution mining, hot leaching process) at the brine field in Kehmstedt; processing of the brine into salts takes place in a brine processing plant from 1988, complemented by drying plants for potash (2012, 2020) and a bischofite plant (1996). In addition, DEUSA operates a natural-gas-based gas engine power plant with combined heat and power, conducts underground backfilling with mineral waste, recycles salt-containing waste at the surface and reclaims tailings heaps. The products are used among others in the construction industry (Sorel cement, magnesia screed, abrasives), the fertilizer and feed industry, and in winter road maintenance. Since 2001, the company formerly founded as Deusa Solbergwerke und Aufbereitungs GmbH has belonged to DEUSA International GmbH; the investment program targets a production volume of 120 kt potash (wet) per year.
- Site
- Bleicherode
- Processes
- Solution mining / hot leaching processes (selective carnallitite solution mining), Processing of brines for the production of salts using technical and chemical processes, Production of bischofite (solid magnesium chloride MgCl2x6H2O), Drying of potassium chloride (KCL drying plant, potash drying), Underground backfilling with mineral waste / waste recycling at the surface, Energy generation (natural-gas-based gas engine power plant), Brine processing and production of base salts (potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium, Filling/distribution
- Materials
- Potassium chloride (potash), Magnesium chloride / magnesium chloride hexahydrate (bischofite, MgCl2x6H2O), Sodium chloride (table salt), Magnesium chloride brine (Edelsole ES, desulfated Edelsole EES, S20, S25, S30), Sodium chloride brine, Hard salt, Carnallitite, Magnesium chloride / bischofite (magnesium chloride hexahydrate)
- Certificates
- DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance Module 2020, DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 (Energy Management), CrefoZert (creditworthiness certificate), Environmental certificate Dual System 'Der Grüne Punkt' (The Green Dot), IHK certificate for training company, Quality seal 'Sicher mit System', ISO 9001:2015 (TÜV Rheinland), ISO 50001:2018 (GUTcert), GMP+ FSA 2020 (DEKRA), CrefoZert (Creditreform), Quality seal 'Sicher mit System' (BG RCI)
- Founded
- 2001
- Industries
- Construction industry (Sorel cement, magnesia screed, abrasives), Agriculture / fertilizer industry, Feed industry, Winter road maintenance, Chemical industry
- 01
Underground extraction of saline raw materials by solution mining (brine field
- 02
Brine processing for the production of base salts
- 03
Drying (KCl/potash drying) and bischofite production
- 04
Filling and distribution
- 05
Underground backfilling with mineral waste / waste recycling at the surface
- 06
Energy generation (gas engine power plant, combined heat and power)
Raw Materials and Processes
Potassium chloride (potash)
Technical quality, dry or moist, for fertilizers and industrial applications.
Magnesium chloride / bischofite (magnesium chloride hexahydrate)
Technical quality and GMP+ feed quality for construction industry, winter road maintenance and feed.
Sodium chloride (table salt)
Base salt from brine processing.
Magnesium chloride brine (Edelsole ES, desulfated Edelsole EES, S20/S25/S30)
For winter road maintenance and Sorel cement production.
Sodium chloride brine
Technical quality as a liquid product.
Carnallitite
Raw material of selective carnallitite solution mining.
Hard salt
Basis of the original potash mining since 1903.
Locations
Bleicherode (Nordhäuser Str. 2)
DEHeadquarters: processing of brines into salts using technical and chemical processes, energy generation
- Materials
- Potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, brines
- Brine processing plant (1988)
- Bischofite plant (1996)
- Gas engine power plant (1995, fully owned by the company since 2009)
- KCl drying plant (2012)
- Potash drying plant (2020)
Bleicherode (Nordhäuser Str. 66)
DEMaintenance of mining and other plants
Bleicherode (Nordhäuser Str. 70)
DEUnderground backfilling with mineral waste; HR department (c/o NDH waste disposal company, branch office)
- Materials
- mineral waste
Kehmstedt (Hauptstr. 55)
DEUnderground extraction of saline raw materials by solution mining (brine field)
- Materials
- Carnallitite
Breitenworbis – OT Bernterode
DEUnderground backfilling with mineral waste (c/o NDH waste disposal company, branch office)
- Materials
- mineral waste
Sollstedt
DEUnderground backfilling with mineral waste (c/o NDH waste disposal company, branch office)
- Materials
- mineral waste
- Shaft hoisting systems
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solution mining / hot leaching processes (selective carnallitite solution mining)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Carnallitite, Hard salt |
| Processing of brines for the production of salts using technical and chemical processesEngineering | – | – | – | – | Potassium chloride, Magnesium chloride, Sodium chloride |
| Production of bischofite (solid magnesium chloride MgCl2x6H2O)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Magnesium chloride |
| Drying of potassium chloride (KCL drying plant, potash drying)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Potassium chloride |
| Underground backfilling with mineral waste / waste recycling at the surfaceEngineering | – | – | – | – | salt-containing waste, mineral waste |
| Energy generation (natural-gas-based gas engine power plant)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
6 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brine processing plant | – | – | – | 1988 | Bleicherode |
| Plant for the production of bischofite | – | – | – | 1996 | Bleicherode |
| Gas engine power plant (natural-gas-based) | – | 1 | – | 1995 | Bleicherode |
| KCL drying plant | – | – | – | 2012 | Bleicherode |
| Potash drying plant | – | – | – | 2020 | Bleicherode |
| Shaft hoisting systems | – | – | – | – | Bleicherode / Sollstedt |
Additional services
Quality and Certifications
From salt extraction to filling, all production chains are continuously monitored and controlled; the quality management system is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, and there is also an energy management system according to ISO 50001.
| Evidence | Bleicherode |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 (TÜV Rheinland) | |
| ISO 50001:2018 (GUTcert) | |
| GMP+ FSA 2020 (DEKRA) | |
| CrefoZert (Creditreform) | |
| Quality seal 'Sicher mit System' (BG RCI) |
History
- 1858
Birth of German potash mining
- 1899
Construction of a royal Prussian salt mine in Bleicherode
- 1903
First finished production based on hard salt mining
- 1970–1978
Development of selective carnallitite solution mining and processing technology; roots of DEUSA International go back to 1890
- 1976
First drilling as part of an exploration program
- 1978
Small-scale technical trials in the underground workings of the Bleicherode potash mine
- 1979
Drilling of the first production borehole
- 1981
Start of research and development activities at the brine field in Kehmstedt
- 1985
Start of the hot leaching process
- 1988
Commissioning of the brine processing plant
- 1993
Foundation of Deusa Solbergwerke und Aufbereitungs GmbH
- 1995
Construction of a natural-gas-based gas engine power plant as a joint project with TEAG (today E.ON)
- 1996
Commissioning of a plant for the production of bischofite (MgCl2·6H2O)
- 2001
Acquisition by DEUSA International GmbH; investment program for occupational safety, stabilization, capacity increase and energy efficiency with the target of 120 kt production volume
- 2009
Development of new field sections, new drilling; acquisition of the E.ON shares in the power plant
- 2012
Commissioning of the KCl drying plant
- 2017
Merger with NDH Entsorgungsbetreibergesellschaft mbH
- 2020
Commissioning of the new potash drying plant; the entire potash production can be dried
- 2026
Anniversary: 25 years of DEUSA International GmbH