Potassium carbonate is a potassium salt that is the dipotassium salt of carbonic acid. It has a role as a catalyst, a fertilizer and a flame retardant. It is a carbonate salt and a potassium salt. Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in ethanol) which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide. It presents a large capacity to absorb moisture.

1. Used for processing and developing exposed photographic materials.

2. Mainly used in the manufacture of cathode ray tube glass shells in the electronics industry, decarbonization in fertilizer production, and production of potassium salts.

3. Used as an analytical reagent, primary standard reagent, flux for melting silicates and insoluble sulfates, and water absorbent for organic liquids.

4. Used as a food additive and leavening agent; also applied in glass, printing and dyeing, soap, enamel, preparation of potassium salts, decarbonylation in synthetic ammonia production, and color TV industry for manufacturing optical glass to improve its transparency, strength and refractive index.

5. Also used in the production of welding electrodes to prevent arc interruption during welding. Applied in the production of vat dyes, their printing and dyeing, and ice dyeing stripping. Used as an adsorbent for removing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Can be mixed with soda ash as a dry powder fire extinguisher. Also used as an auxiliary raw material in the production of acetone and alcohol, and as an antioxidant in rubber production.

6. Aqueous solution can be used for scouring cotton fabric and degreasing wool. In addition, it is also used in the production of printing inks, photographic chemicals, polyester, pharmaceuticals, electroplating, leather making, ceramics, building materials, crystals, potassium soaps and medicines.