The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), a new global, scientific, agronomic organization, has been recently established. The Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) has committed its scientific staff to IPNI. PPI, which will be fully integrated into IPNI by the end of 2006, will no longer exist.
IPNI will officially begin operations Jan. 1, 2007. It will immediately have scientific programs in place in North America, Central and South America, China, India, and Southeast Asia. IPNI anticipates promptly establishing such programs in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as in the Middle East.
“The new organization will be composed of fertilizer industry companies that are basic producers of nitrogen (N) and/or phosphate (P) and/or potash (K) and/or sulfur (S) for agricultural use,” said William Doyle, PPI chairman and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. president and CEO. “Large retail organizations that will not qualify as basic producers of N, P, K, or S may qualify as associate members. The purpose is to help provide a coordinated scientific foundation for fertilizer nutrient use and to scientifically address associated environmental issues.”
Dr. Terry L. Roberts of Norcross, Ga., will serve as the first president of IPNI. Dr. Paul E. Fixen of Brookings, South Dakota, will be coordinator, Americas Group, and Dr. Adrian Johnston of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, will be coordinator, Asia Group.
Founding members of IPNI are Agrium Inc.; Arab Potash Co.; Belarusian Potash Co.; Bunge Fertilizantes S.A.; CF Industries Holding, Inc.; Intrepid Mining, LLC; K+S KALI GmbH; Mosaic; PotashCorp; Saskferco; J.R. Simplot Co.; Sinochem Hong Kong Ltd.; Spur Ventures Inc.; SQM; Terra Industries Inc.; and Uralkali.