Agrium Inc. said Sept. 6 that it has received regulatory approval for its Retail business, Crop Production Services, to acquire 16 locations in Western Canada from Andrukow Group Solutions Inc. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-September.

“These acquisitions demonstrate our continued focus on growing our Retail business in key strategic regions, and will allow us to better serve our customers and provide benefits to growers,” said Agrium’s President and CEO, Chuck Magro. “The acquired locations will increase our Retail presence close to our manufacturing facilities in Western Canada, where we can optimize freight and handling, and in the U.S. Corn Belt, where we are under-represented in a key growing region. We remain committed to the strategy of growing our Retail business through multiple growth levers, including acquisitions, where we have a full pipeline of opportunities.”

CPS recently completed the acquisition of 18 locations from Cargill AgHorizons (U.S.) across the northern U.S. Cornbelt region.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (SQM) has announced that it will invest approximately US$20 million in Elemental Minerals Ltd. (ELM), an Australian-based company with potash deposits in the Republic of Congo. In return, SQM will receive 17 percent of the company, and a right of first refusal for approximately 20 percent of the total potash production of ELM. The State General Reserve Fund of Oman and Summit Private Equity will also subscribe US$20 million and US$10 million, respectively.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. both confirmed today that they are in preliminary discussions regarding a potential merger of equals.

They said no decision has been made as to whether to proceed with such a combination, no agreement has been reached, and there can be no assurance that any transaction will result from these discussions.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. are in merger talks, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter. Reportedly, an announcement could come as early as next week. PotashCorp and Agrium had not immediately responded to inquiries.

Uralkali has confirmed its subsidiary Uralkali Trading SA has concluded a new supply contract with China’s buying consortium including Sinochem, CNAMPGC, and CNOOC, for seaborne potash deliveries to China between August 2016 and January 2017. The company said the contract delivery price for potash fertilizer has been set at ‘as per the market level.’ Uralkali’s volumes under the contract will total 600,000 mt of KCl, not including optional deliveries. Last year, the contract was struck in April for 850,000 mt, not including optional quantities, for delivery between April through December 2015.

Sources report that Uralkali already has concluded a new supply contract with Indian Potash Ltd. (IPL) and possibly its other Indian customers, but no official announcement has been made by the supplier. However, Indian Department of Fertilizers data show Russian potash have continued to be shipped to India, including through July. Last year, Uralkali contracted to supply 800,000 mt to IPL, not including optional volumes, for delivery May 2015 through March 2016. It also was understood to have agreed supply to contracts with Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd. and Shriram Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. for 285,000 mt, including optional volumes, and 60,000 mt, respectively.

While domestic producers are posting prices some $20/st up at inland points, the NOLA granular potash barge range is reported in the $180-$195/st FOB range. Sources say an influx of imports from various sources as well as domestic product are competing for barge sales at NOLA.

Yara Brazil is buying a fertilizer blending plant from Adubos Sudoeste, the company has told Bloomberg. Yara said the purchase will be its first in Goias state.

The Tampa anhydrous ammonia price for September has dropped $30/mt to $240/mt CFR from August’s $270/mt CFR. Sources had been reporting that weaker international prices were putting pressure on Tampa price ideas.

Compass Minerals has reported plans to acquire all of Produquímica Indústria e Comércio SA, São Paulo, a Brazilian manufacturer and distributor of specialty plant nutrients.

“The purchase of the remainder of Produquímica marks an important milestone for Compass Minerals in the execution of our growth strategy. This accretive acquisition gives us access to higher growth markets and geographic diversification of our earnings, while lessening our dependence on winter weather,” said Fran Malecha, Compass Minerals president and CEO. “Produquímica’s strong history of growth and product development in Brazil provides Compass Minerals an excellent platform for expansion in one of the world’s most important agriculture markets. We look forward to the opportunities that will come from Produquímica joining Compass Minerals.”

Compass Minerals purchased 35 percent of Produquímica in December 2015. The expected price for the remaining 65 percent of equity is approximately $310-$330 million, is based on Produquímica’s expected 2016 performance, and will be subject to customary, post-closing adjustments. In addition, Compass Minerals will assume approximately $150 million in U.S. dollar equivalent long-term debt, most of which will be retired during the fourth quarter. The acquisition includes approximately $150 million of net working capital.

Compass Minerals expects the transaction to add $0.12-$0.15 to full-year 2016 diluted earnings per share.

Produquímica, generated approximately R$1.2 billion in net revenue and R$198 million in EBITDA as of the 12 months ending June 30, 2016. It operates two primary businesses – agricultural productivity and chemical solutions. The agricultural productivity division manufactures and distributes specialty plant nutrition solution-based products. These include micronutrients, controlled release fertilizers, and other specialty supplements that are used in direct soil and foliar applications, as well as through irrigation systems and for seed treatment. Produquímica also manufactures and markets specialty chemicals, primarily for the water treatment industry and for use in other industrial processes in Brazil. It has 1,400 employees.

Compass Minerals expects to close the transaction in early October 2016 subject to regulatory approval and to fund the acquisition with new debt. This transaction was enabled by an amendment to the prior agreement between Compass Minerals and key shareholders of Produquímica.

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund reports that it has begun construction on an approximately C$30 million project to increase the capacity of its high purity potassium chloride manufacturing facility at Midlothian, Texas, by more than 50 percent over the next 18-24 months. In addition to the expansion, which will include a new crystallizer and downstream train, Chemtrade will construct a new upgraded packaging hall and warehouse that meet and exceed cGMP and FDA requirements for both Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API’s) and ingredients used in the food, beverage and nutraceutical industries.

The first phase, which will be completed during the fourth quarter of this year, will add 25 percent to the facility’s API grade capacity. The balance of both the API and other grades should be on-stream mid-2018.

“We see this as a major commitment to our Select Specialties business to ensure a reliable supply to our valued partners in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and other key industries,” said Leon Aarts, group vice president.

“High purity potassium chloride is a key inorganic salt for both the pharmaceutical and food markets. Recently issued  FDA voluntary guidelines recommend the U.S. food industry work towards a 50 percent reduction in sodium chloride (salt) content in their products over the next 10 years and potassium chloride is one of the ways in which the food industry can help meet those guidelines. This investment will give Chemtrade capacity and redundancy to serve our API and food markets for years to come,” added Jeff Berresford, director of Chemtrade’s Select Specialties business.