UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Includes the news release that is being distributed to the markets by Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. on January 07, 2009.
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)
El Trovador 4285, Santiago, Chile (562) 425-2000
(Address and phone number of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82___________
 | For Immediate Release SOQUIMICH COMERCIAL AGREES MERGER WITH ANAGRA S.A. |
Santiago, Chile, January 07, 2009.- Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) announced today that its Chilean subsidiary Soquimich Comercial S.A. (SQMC) (Santiago Stock Exchange: SOQUICOM) and Anagra S.A., a Chilean fertilizer distribution company, signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) oriented to implement the merger of the two companies. SQMC imports, blends and distributes specialty and commodity fertilizers in the Chilean market. The merger would result in the creation of a new fertilizer distribution company in Chile that would benefit from cost synergies and efficiency gains, enabling the company to better serve customers in this market.
The merger must be approved by the Chilean Antitrust Commission in order for it to go into effect. SQM will continue to be the majority shareholder of the new company.
SQMC reported profits of approximately US$16.5 million as of September 31, 2008, representing approximately 4% of SQM’s consolidated profits.
SQM is an integrated producer and distributor of specialty plant nutrients, iodine and lithium. Its products are based on the development of high quality natural resources that allow the Company to be leader in costs, supported by a specialized international network with sales in over 100 countries. SQM’s development strategy aims to maintain and strengthen the Company’s world leadership in its three core businesses: Specialty Plant Nutrition, Iodine and Lithium.
The leadership strategy is based on the Company’s competitive advantages and on the sustainable growth of the different markets in which it participates. SQM’s main competitive advantages in its different businesses are:
| · | Low production costs based on vast and high quality natural resources. |
| · | Know-how and its own technological developments in its various production processes. |
| · | Logistics infrastructure and high production levels that allow SQM to have low distribution costs. |
| · | High market share in all its core products |
| · | International sales network with offices in more than 20 countries and sales in over 100 countries. |
| · | Synergies from the production of multiple products that are obtained from the same two natural resources. |
| · | Continuous new product development according to the specific needs of its different customers. |
| · | Conservative and solid financial position |
| For further information, contact: | Patricio Vargas, 56-2-4252485 / patricio.vargas@sqm.com |
| Carolina Rojas, 56-2-4252250 / carolina.rojas@sqm.com |
Statements in this press release concerning the Company’s business outlook, future economic performances, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, or other financial items, anticipated cost synergies and product or service line growth, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under Federal Securities Laws.
Any forward-looking statements are estimates, reflecting the best judgment of SQM based on currently available information and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Risks, uncertainties, and factors that could affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements are identified in the public filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and forward-looking statements should be considered in light of those factors.
SQM Los Militares 4290 Piso 6, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile Tel: (56 2) 425 2485 Fax: (56 2) 425 2493 www.sqm.com |  |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
Conf: /s/ Ricardo Ramos R.
Ricardo Ramos R.
Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 07, 2009