Agrium debuts advanced tech production facility

Calgary-Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT), a unit of Agrium Inc., has opened a new fertilizer production facility in Courtright, Ont. The state-of-the-art manufacturing operation is producing the AAT specialized, controlled-release fertilizers, many of which involve the company’s patented coating technology. This plant opening coincides with the launch of AAT’s newest product, XCUT slow-release fertilizer, which is now available for sale in both the U.S. and Canada. On Sept. 30, 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) approved XCU for sale in Canada “With production capabilities in the North and South, we can meet the increased customer demand and diversify our geography,” said Rod Oglesby, AAT director of operations. “Now we can better serve our customers across North America and globally with the assurance of product availability, and at a lower freight cost.” The new Courtright facility is a multi-million-dollar addition to an existing AAT operation, but it represents a complete transformation of the site’s manufacturing capabilities. As a result of the dramatic expansion, AAT now has a second location for making its new XCU, which is polymer-coated, sulfur-coated fertilizer. Its ultra-thin, highly-durable coating requires a sophisticated, proprietary manufacturing process. Until now, that capability had existed only at AAT’s production facilities in Sylacauga, Ala. “This is exciting because it’s new, innovative technology,” said Oglesby, “but it’s already been proven. We perfected the processes and quality-control assurances that we have in place in Sylacauga, and now we’re applying them at the Courtright facility.” The new operation, which also features improved laboratory, warehousing, and distribution capabilities, has an annual production capacity of 60,000 mt of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers. In addition to the XCU, the Courtright facility is able to manufacture AAT’s Polyon ® controlled-release fertilizer. “We’re in the value-added business,” said Oglesby, “and we’re investing in products to help our customers solve the economic and environmental situations they’re facing. And we’re not just talking about innovation, we’re going out and spending the money to get better products to the market quickly. This new facility is the latest example.” For more info, see AAT’s new website www.agriumat.com.