Compass unit includes potash in new ice melter

Overland Park, Kan.-North American Salt Co., part of Compass Minerals, which also includes Great Salt Lake Minerals, has added a new product to its Safe Step family of ice melters with a closely-guarded formulation that includes potash. The new product is described as pet-friendly. Compass Minerals spokeswoman Peggy Landon said she couldn’t reveal any more information, except that it’s all natural and doesn’t irritate pets’ paws. “All the technical group is saying is that it contains no urea, but there is some potash in it along with some other minerals,” Landon reported. She said the rest of the formulation is proprietary. The Compass announcement stated that what has been named “Sure Paws” is all-natural, fast-acting, and doesn’t irritate pets’ paws, but melts ice down to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit. “The ice melter was specifically created to offer consumers a pet-friendly option, developed with a patent-pending formula containing 100 percent organic ingredients, and contains no salt or chemicals. When used as directed, Sure Paws is also gentle on concrete and vegetation,” the company said.