Uralkali has revised its forecast for global potash demand to about 66 million mt in 2019 down from the previous 67-68 million mt. The cut was mainly due to weak potash demand in North and Central Americas due to first-half adverse weather conditions. In addition, Southeast Asia was down due to deteriorating palm oil margins.

Tampa anhydrous ammonia prices for September moved up $10/mt to settle at $225/mt CFR.

Crystal Peak Minerals Inc., Toronto, on Aug. 28 announced receipt of the Record of Decision (ROD) from the U.S. Department of the Interior for its Sevier Playa Project located in west central Utah.  It said the ROD de-risks the project and authorizes that construction can begin.

“The signing of the ROD is the most important milestone in this company’s history,” said Crystal Peak CEO Jon Mansanti. “As one of the few greenfield SOP projects approved in the world, we are absolutely thrilled. Securing the ROD initiates an exciting phase for the company. We look forward to a number of important announcements in the coming months in relation to financing, offtake, and the project.” Upon receipt of funding and completion of detailed engineering, the company said it will be in a position to begin construction in 2020.

Nutrien Ltd., Saskatoon, said Aug. 22 that it has obtained the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) approval to proceed with its acquisition of Ruralco Holdings Ltd. The transaction now requires approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Upon securing the necessary approvals from the FIRB, as well as Ruralco shareholders, the transaction is anticipated to be completed on Sept. 30, 2019.

While the China urea prices in the Green Markets Aug. 16 issue in the Price Scan section of the publication were correct, with granular at $268-$270/mt, there was an error in the corresponding text on page 4. It should have read as follows:

Granular urea is also showing signs of weakness. Sources reported producers are more than willing to discuss prices at $267-$268/mt FOB instead of holding firm at $270/mt FOB. Again, while talks are said to be going on, no one has confirmed a sale at the lower levels.

K+S Group, Kassel, reported a 24 increase in second-quarter EBITDA to €130 million from the year-ago €105 million. Revenues were up 8 percent to €879 million from €812 million. The company cited good prices and higher production volumes both at Werra and Bethune.

The company is also moving up its EBITDA guidance for the year to €730-€830 million from the previous €700-€850 million. 2018 EBITDA was €606 million.

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund, Toronto, reports that it plans to sell its Potassium Chloride and Vaccine Adjuvant businesses, though a buyer has yet to be found. It said these businesses generated some C$14 million in adjusted EBITDA for the year ending June 30, 2019. The Potassium Chloride business, based in Midlothian, Texas, produces high-purity product used for the pharmaceuticals, food and metal refinement. Major competitors are listed as Morton Salt Inc., Dead Sea Works and Klinge Chemicals Ltd.

In other news, Chemtrade reported a second-quarter net loss of $57.6 million on revenue of $396.7 million compared to the year-ago loss of $50.4 million and $405.3 million.

Hazardous materials teams were called to the Landus Cooperative, Collins, Iowa, shortly after 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13 due to a leak in a 30,000 gallon anhydrous ammonia tank, according to local media reports. Nearby homes were evacuated. Local station KCCI News provided video online.

Despite a dismal spring planting season, The Andersons Inc., Maumee, Ohio, reported an uptick in Plant Nutrient Group pretax income for the second-quarter to $15.9 million from the year-ago $15.1 million. However, fertilizer volumes were down for both primary and specialty nutrients.

Company-wide second-quarter net income was $29.9 million, up from the year-ago $21.5 million.

Compass Minerals, Overland Park, Kan., reported a second-quarter 2019 net loss of $11.8 million, compared to year-ago net loss of $7.6 million. While operating earnings increased $1.3 million to $4.1 million, a year-over-year increase in non-operating costs, primarily related to foreign exchange losses and interest expense, drove the higher net loss compared to prior year.

Compass said that while the second-quarter results demonstrated ongoing improvement in its Salt business, its Plant Nutrition business delivered modest gains in operating earnings despite a challenging global agriculture market. The lingering impact of unfavorable agriculture conditions in the U.S. continued to limit Plant Nutrition North America results. In South America, demand increased across many product categories and lifted earnings ahead of prior-year results.