The manufacture of elemental is unimportant with a worldwide production in the early 1990's of less than 500 t/a. It is manufactured by the reaction of molten potassium chloride with sodium at high temperatures, whereupon a potassium/sodium alloy is formed, which is fractionally distilled.

Metallic potassium is obtained in a purity of > 99.5%. The formerly operated melt electrolysis of potassium hydroxide or potassium chloride is no longer operated. Potassium is utilized for the manufacture of potassium peroxide K₂O₂ and Na/K-alloys (reducing agent, heat carrier e.g. in the nuclear industry).