AdvanSix announced on May 5 that it plans to expand granular ammonium sulfate capacity by 200,000 st/y at its Hopewell, Va., location. The project has been dubbed SUSTAIN (Sustainable US Sulfate to Accelerate Increased Nutrition).
SUSTAIN will include a multi-year series of capital investments focused on the planned expansion of granular ammonium sulfate production. It is expected to increase granular ammonium sulfate production, predominantly through increased conversion, by nearly 20% and improve customer logistics.
The project is targeting no net increase in energy consumption or emissions, an anticipated reduction of total water usage at the site by approximately 10%, and a reduction of nutrient discharges.
AdvanSix said the project will ensure that the premium granular product variety required by the US market can be produced domestically, increasing resiliency in the local fertilizer market.
In the meantime, AdvanSix also said on May 5 that negotiations with striking workers at the Hopewell South facility remain ongoing.
“From the beginning of negotiations with the Hopewell South bargaining unit and associated economic strike, we have endeavored to reach a contract through a transparent and good faith bargaining process to address the various needs brought forth by the union negotiations’ team,” said AdvanSix President and CEO Erin Kane. “Our proposals maintain a market-based, role-specific wage approach designed to ensure we are providing competitive wages to our employees intended to improve attraction, retention, and development of our workforce in order to support long-term, sustainable growth.
“Ahead of the bargaining process, and consistent with historical practice, we developed robust contingency plans in the event of a work stoppage or strike,” she added. “I’d like to thank our trained salary and contingent contract workers who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our customers and key stakeholders to ensure safe, stable, and sustainable operations over the past several weeks. All parties were back at the bargaining table this week and we remain committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to reach a resolution to this situation.”
AdvanSix announced the strike on April 7. It affects approximately 340 workers. The bargaining unit consists of the International Chemical Workers Union Council/the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 591-C, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 666, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local No. 10, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, Local 851.