All posts by mickeybarb@charter.net

Ammonium Thiosulfate

Amthio, Eastern Canada, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Northern Plains, Specialty, Western Cornbelt

Eastern Cornbelt:

The ammonium thiosulfate market jumped to $625-$720/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, up from the last reported $600-$645/st FOB range, with the low confirmed at Seneca, Ill., and the high in Ohio. Sources reported no current prices being offered at Terre Haute, Ind.

Western Cornbelt:

No current prices were confirmed for ammonium thiosulfate in the region. Sources said no tons were being offered at Waterloo, Iowa, during the week.

Northern Plains:

No current prices were confirmed for ammonium thiosulfate in the Northern Plains.

Eastern Canada:

The ammonium thiosulfate market in Eastern Canada strengthened to C$909-$970/mt FOB in mid-March, depending on location and supplier, up nearly C$50/mt at the low end of the range.

Brazil to Launch National Fertilizer Plan March 11; Exploitation of Indigenous Land Criticized

Brazil, News, News Briefs

Brazil’s National Fertilizer Plan, which has been in place since 2020, gained a greater sense of urgency after Russia, Brazil’s largest fertilizer supplier, began a military offensive against Ukraine and, consequently, shook supply expectations for domestic consumption.

In recent weeks, the news was that the plan was in the final process of evaluation and would be released by the end of March, but recent updates, confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture, indicate that the launch will be March 11.

The plan’s goal is to comprehensively reduce the need to import chemical fertilizers from 85 percent on average to about 60 percent over a 30-year horizon. However, not all measures seek long-term resolutions. According to the document, there are also actions with effectiveness planned for a horizon of 5 and 10 years that, gradually, will contribute to the reduction of external dependence.

According to Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina, in a report published by Infomoney, citing Reuters as a source, the program will seek to minimize bottlenecks in legislation, taxes, and, especially, those related to environmental issues. Ricardo Tortorella, Executive Director of ANDA (National Association for the Dissemination of Fertilizers), said he expects the plan to also deliver strategies that open new channels, markets, and business partners, along with improvements in logistics.

The proposal, which aims to promote competitive advantages in the national fertilizer production chain, is based on the tripod: strengthening stability in the supply of fertilizer, diplomacy of supplies, and transfer of technology for plant nutrition. Among the pillars to promote the intentions of the proposal is the debureaucratization of the ore production chain used in fertilizer manufacturing and tax incentives to the industry. The new legislation also provides for the creation of the Fertilizer Industry Development Program (Profert), with the aim of modernizing factories.

Brazil has a conventional underground potash mine, the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, located in the Taquari-Vassouras Minerochemical Complex, in Rosario do Catete (SE). In addition, the national production has 400,000 mt of potassium chloride per year provided by Mosaic Fertilizantes’ processing plant. The volume, however, falls far short of their annual potassium imports, which in 2021 totaled 12.8 million mt.

There are also expectations about a project raised by President Jair Bolsonaro to exploit potassium deposits, but which finds it difficult to obtain legal and environmental license because it is in a territory demarcated as indigenous property. Throughout the week, the government requested that the project be reviewed judicially, but the Federal Prosecutor’s Office criticized the intentions of exploitation and pointed out that the proposal is unconstitutional and “diminishes the system of protection of human rights.”

Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco, in a report published by Infomoney citing Reuters as a source, said that the problem of fertilizer supply in Brazil needs to be discussed, taking into account ways to enhance existing exploration without the need to use environmental reserves or indigenous lands by using and improving available technologies.

Crops/Weather

Crops/Weather, Eastern Canada, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Northeast, Northern Plains, Western Cornbelt

Eastern Cornbelt:

The work week began with severe thunderstorm warnings across central and northern Indiana, with reports of 60-mph wind gusts and heavy rainfall. Those conditions were a big change from the weekend, when Indianapolis posted a daily record high temperature of 77 degrees on March 5.

Temperatures in the high-40s to low-50s were reported in central and southern Illinois at midweek, but rain and an inch or two of snow was expected across central Illinois as the week progressed, with lows dropping to the 20s and 30s on March 10-11. Snowfall and much colder temperatures were also expected in southern Illinois by March 11.

Northern Ohio also experienced numerous snow flurries during the week, with some locations expecting 1-3 inches of accumulation by March 11. Much colder weather was on tap for the coming weekend, with highs across northern Ohio hovering in the 20s and wind chills dipping into the single digits.

Western Cornbelt:

A powerful storm system produced a total of ten confirmed tornadoes in Iowa on March 5, causing seven deaths across the state. Gov. Kim Reynolds on March 7 issued a disaster proclamation for ten or more counties in response to the storm.

One of the tornadoes, an EF4 that touched down in Madison County and caused six deaths and extreme damage to areas near Winterset, traveled 69.5 miles, with estimated peak winds at 170 mph and a width of 800 yards at certain times. The tornado was the first EF4 in Iowa since October 2014, and the second-longest tornado path in the state since 1980.

As the week advanced, another weather system was expected to bring snow and much colder temperatures to parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri on March 10-12. Forecasts warned of an inch or more of snow in Omaha, southern Iowa, and south central Missouri, with heavier amounts in west central Missouri. Temperatures on March 11-12 were expected to fall to the teens and single digits, with wind chills approaching the negative double digits in parts of Iowa.

Northern Plains:

Cold temperatures were reported across much of the Northern Plains after winter storms blanketed parts of central and southern Minnesota with 4-6 inches of snow on March 6.

Highs in the teens and 20s were reported in Minnesota and the Dakotas at the start of the week, but most areas experienced single-digit or subzero lows as the week progressed, along with 50 mph winds in parts of North Dakota.

Another round of snow was possible for the Twin Cities area late in the week before an expected rise in weekend temperatures, with forecasts suggesting highs in the 50s by mid-March.

The National Weather Service is predicting only minor to moderate flooding along the Red River this spring, weather officials reported on March 10. Last year’s drought left plenty of underground storage this season, the agency said, and long-term weather forecasts suggest a favorable spring thaw this year.

Northeast:

New England got a taste of winter weather during the week, with a weather system bringing blustery winds and a wintry mix of precipitation to many locations. After heavy rain from some severe thunderstorms on March 7, a second system produced 1-3 inches of wet snow across the region at midweek, along with temperatures in the 20s to mid-30s.

Snowfall in western New York and north central Pennsylvania ranged from 2-5 inches by midweek. Much of Maryland experienced a “weather whiplash” during the week, with temperatures falling from record highs in the upper-70s on March 6-7 to the mid-30s by March 8-9. Parts of Maryland also collected 2-4 inches of snow as the cold weather system moved through the state.

Warmer weather was on tap for the coming weekend, however, with highs expected in the 40s and 50s across New England and the mid-Atlantic.

Eastern Canada:

The week began with a wintry mix of snow and freezing rain across Ontario, with reports of 5-10 cm of snow accumulation in parts of southern Ontario.

After a return of warmer temperatures for much of the week, another winter blast was taking aim at Eastern Canada on March 11-13. Forecasts warned of weekend snowfall totaling 5 cm across the GTA, 5-10 cm in Ottawa, Ont., and the Niagara region, 10-15 cm from Kingston to Cornwall, Ont., and up to 15-20 cm in the Montreal area. As much as 20-30 cm was expected in Quebec City, with 30 cm or more across the Eastern Townships.

Strong winds of 50-70 km/h were expected to accompany the weekend snowfall before milder temperatures and more spring-like weather settles in at mid-month.

Transportation

Arkansas River, Illinois River, Market Watch, Mississippi RIver, Ohio River, Transportation, U.S. Gulf

U.S. Gulf:

Drawbridge malfunctions reported in the West Canal during the week caused multiday delays. Navigation was expected to rely on intermittent manual bridge openings until repairs are completed, potentially lasting 1-2 weeks.

Brazos Lock was reported shut to daylight-hour traffic Monday through Friday, expected through the end of the month. Delays were anticipated at 12-24 hours.

Guidewall construction at Bayou Sorrel Lock, in progress through late May, was expected to limit access to the site between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Wait times were noted holding under five hours on March 8.

Weekday movements through Bayou Boeuf Lock were projected to begin normalizing on March 8, ending a period of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. maintenance-related shutdowns. The shutdowns were reportedly limited to Monday through Friday, while 24-hour access remained available on weekends throughout the project.

Travel through Bayou Chene was limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. due to floodgate construction, a Coast Guard posting indicated. Tows accessing the waterway were limited to 600 feet of length, while the use of an assist boat was required for configurations measuring wider than 54 feet. Intermittent daylight-hour shutdowns were also expected due to dive operations, resulting in additional 6-12 hour delays.

Shoaling reported at the Atchafalaya River’s Mile 113-116 has prompted ongoing draft restrictions in the Morgan City, La., area. Maximum drafts were reduced to 10 feet, a Coast Guard posting indicated, while tow lengths were capped at 600 feet, combined with a maximum 70 feet of width. Barge strings measuring longer than 400 feet were advised to make use of an assist vessel or to bypass the restrictions entirely via a detour through the Port Allen Route.

Tow length and width restrictions remained in effect at Algiers Lock, effectively capping unassisted navigation at four dry barges or two 30,000 mt tankers per lockage. Tows traveling with an assist tug were permitted larger barge counts, however.

A Belle Chasse Bridge construction project scheduled to run through late 2022 was expected to result in sporadic navigation shutdowns running up to 12 hours at a stretch. Belle Chasse Bridge is located near Algiers Lock in the West Canal, at Mile 3.

Port Allen Lock delays were reported in the 7-15 hour range for the week. Intermittent Industrial Lock waits were also noted up to 15 hours. With 28 tows counted in line to pass Calcasieu Lock on March 8, delays were quoted up to five days.

Mississippi River:

High water conditions tightened towing restrictions on the lower Mississippi River during the week. Reduced barge counts were expected to remain in effect, while larger tows were restricted to Vicksburg, Miss., bridge navigation during daytime hours due to the elevated conditions.

Levels at Vicksburg were reported at an action-stage 40.88 feet and rising on March 9, with forecasts predicting a 41.1-foot crest on March 14-18. A flood warning for the region on March 9 was due to expire late on March 13. River levels at Memphis were predicted to remain above action stage through March 19, limiting travel through the area.

Channel reinforcement underway at Mile 642 on the lower river was scheduled to conclude on March 15. Tows moving in the southbound direction experienced delays up to 12 hours.

Repair work that began on March 7 at the Fort Madison Railroad Bridge was expected to limit daytime navigation through the upper river’s Mile 383.9 until approximately March 14.

The upper Mississippi River’s Locks 1-13 remained closed for winter maintenance on March 9, Corps data indicated. Locks 5A, 8, and 10 were tentatively set to resume spring navigation on March 17, ahead of the previously scheduled March 22.

Intermittent 5-13 hour delays were reported at Lock 21 during the week. Lock 27 wait times ran up to 5.5 hours.

Illinois River:

Icy conditions and raised river levels impacted travel on the Illinois River during the week, sources said, limiting maximum barge counts and slowing overall transit speeds. Ice couplings continued to be required.

Wickets were reported in the lowered position at both Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, allowing for lockless navigation through both locations. Water levels at Peoria receded below action stage on March 3, and were reported at 15.34 feet and falling slowly on March 9.

Repairs and maintenance are scheduled at Brandon Road Lock from May 9 to Sept. 8. The Corps warned of overnight-only travel between May 9 and Aug. 14, followed by a complete lock shutdown from Aug. 15 through Sept. 4. Overnight navigation will resume Sept. 5-8, after which the lock is projected to reopen on Sept. 9. A 70-foot width limit will be in effect on all lockages while work is underway.

Ohio River:

Heavy precipitation in the Ohio River Valley exacerbated a bout of high-water-driven navigation slowdowns during the week, with both slowed fleet movements and restricted lock activity reported.

Primary chamber work underway at Emsworth Lock since Feb. 22 limited navigation to the secondary chamber, where tows were limited to locking a single barge per pass. Massive delays were seen during the week as a result, with wait times noted at 2-6 days, falling from 4-7 days in the prior report. The project is scheduled to continue through April 16.

Cannelton Lock travel remains limited to daylight hours only on Wednesdays and Thursdays through May 26. An additional shutdown proposed for Cannelton would run from July 5 through Nov. 11, forcing passage through the site’s secondary chamber.

The main chamber at Dashields Lock was reported shut through March 31, prompting detours through the auxiliary chamber. Repair operation are scheduled to close the secondary chamber on April 1-22.

Belleville Lock is scheduled for a primary chamber shutdown from May 2 through June 22 to allow for repairs and maintenance. Traffic is anticipated to pass through the secondary chamber while work is underway.

A proposed Hannibal Lock main chamber shutdown would limit navigation between July 5 and Oct. 8, a Corps notice indicated.

On the Tennessee River, main chamber work was in progress at Wilson Lock through April 28, forcing traffic to detour through the secondary chamber. Boats transiting Wilson Lock reported wait times of 3-5 days as a result, although delays were predicted to swell to a possible seven days or more as the project continues. The Corps has scheduled a single six-day relief opening of the main chamber, currently slated for March 18-23.

Delays at Kentucky Lock were noted as high as 15.5 hours for the week.

Scheduled maintenance to the Cumberland River’s Bio-Acoustic Fish Fence (BAFF) system will close the site to daytime navigation on March 21-27. Alternate passage will be available through Kentucky Lock and Barkley Lock.

Proposed Cheatham Lock repairs and maintenance were expected to impact travel through the site from May 16 to Aug. 4.

Arkansas River:

Planned Norrell Lock maintenance and repairs were projected to block daylight-hour travel through the site on June 1-11; June 22-July 21; Aug. 1-10; Aug. 21-Sept. 21; Sept. 3-Oct. 9; Oct. 20-Nov. 18; Nov. 29-Dec. 23; and Jan. 3-31, 2023. Navigation will be unavailable daily through Norrell between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. while work is underway.

Tessenderlo Plans New Organic Production Line in France

Europe, News, News Briefs, Specialty

Tessenderlo Group, Brussels, announced on March 2 that it plans to construct a new production line for organic fertilizers in Vénérolles (Aisne, France). The new line will focus on the production of organic pellets for its growth unit Violleau, responding to the rising demand for organic fertilizers.

“With the new production line in Vénérolles, we are further expanding our local presence in the organic fertilizer market,” said Didier Coppieters, GU Director of Violleau. “Our new production line responds to the growing demand for organic fertilizers from the European market, which is in line with the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy.”

“At the same time, we will also ensure a better service to the agricultural market in Northern France and Belgium thanks to the strategic location in Vénérolles,” added Dominique Billard, General Manager Violleau France. Violleau already operates a production plant in La Ronde en Deux-Sèvres (France).

The new line is scheduled to be operational in first-quarter 2023 and will be constructed on the site of Akiolis’ manufacturing plant in Vénérolles. The company said that the plant will utilize meat, bone meal, and animal proteins from Akiolis (Bio-valorization segment) and offer products with a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Tessenderlo created the Violleau unit in 2021 to support the growth of organic agricultural solutions in Europe. Violleau specializes in the production of organic amendments and fertilizers from animal and vegetable matter, as well as the commercialization of biocontrol products. Violleau’s organic and organo-mineral formulations, which are made in France in compost or pellets, can be used in organic and conventional agriculture for applications in field crops, vineyards, arboriculture, market gardening, or green spaces.

Coffeyville Turnaround Boosts UAN Capacity by 100 st/d

News, News Briefs, Nitrogen, Texas, UAN

CVR Partners LP, Sugar Land, Texas, recently told analysts that the fourth-quarter turnaround at its Coffeyville, Kan., nitrogen plant resulted in another 100 st/d of UAN capacity.

CVR said it completed the installation of an additional CO2 compressor and ammonia pump at Coffeyville, which led to the increase in UAN production. It said the increased production should provide a quick payback for that capital project (GM Feb. 25, p. 26).

Going into the turnaround, Coffeyville capacity stood at 1,300 st/d for ammonia and 3,000 st/d for UAN.