Haifa Bay, Israel-Haifa Chemicals reports the launch of its new subsidiary, Haifa Chemicals Australia Pty Ltd. (HCA). It says as of Jan. 1, 2009, the new unit will improve and upgrade the service to this important marketplace. HCA will be managed by Trevor Dennis, who has 15 years of experience with fertilizers and irrigation companies. Dennis will report to Mr. Catriel Wittner, Haifa Chemicals Southeast Asia and Pacific Desk Manager. Haifa said HCA will replace “Multifert Agencies,” managed by Bruce Hudgson, which has developed and supported Haifa’s activity in Australia in the past 16 years. HCA office is located at Suite 3, Level 9, 14 Queens Road, St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria 3004; e-mail: trevor@haifaaustralia.com.au; cell: +61-43-9445008.
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The Andersons announce dividend
Maumee, Ohio-The Andersons Inc. on Dec. 19 announced a first quarter 2009 cash dividend of 8.5 cents ($0.085) payable Jan. 23, 2009, to shareholders of record on Jan. 2, 2009. This is The Andersons’ 49th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since its listing on the Nasdaq on Feb. 20, 1996. There are approximately 18.1 million common shares outstanding.
PotashCorp announces purchase of shares
Saskatoon-PotashCorp on Dec. 22 announced that it purchased for cancellation 2,950,000 of its common shares outstanding pursuant to private agreement between the company and an arm’s-length third-party seller. This purchase brings the cumulative total number of shares purchased under PotashCorp’s 31.5 million share repurchase program – announced in January 2008 and expanded in September 2008 – to 22.85 million shares. This transaction was made pursuant to an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (the Order), and the disclosure in this news release is required by the Order. The Order permits PotashCorp to purchase up to an additional 1,750,000 common shares by way of one or more similar private agreements with one or more arm’s-length third party sellers specified in the Order, prior to Jan. 30, 2009.
Savage Services to buy Quality Rail Services
Salt Lake City-Savage Services Corp. said Dec. 29 that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the assets and the locomotive and rail services business of Quality Rail Services LLC of Golden, Colo. (QRS). The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 31, 2008. QRS is an industry leader and pioneer in providing specialized services to the nation’s Class 1 Railroads with locomotive fueling, mechanical, and other support services on an outsource basis. QRS primarily serves customers located in the western and central US, with 30 locations serving the BNSF, Kansas City Southern, and Union Pacific railroads, as well as many of the railroads’ customers. Savage, a North American leader in providing services to its customers engaged in oil refining, chemicals, coal production, electric power generation, and the Class I railroads, sees this opportunity to extend a 62-year tradition of service by responding to the railroads’ initiatives to continually improve velocity and capacity. Savage provides “Best Value-No Worry” services in many arenas to the U.S. Class 1 railroads and their customers through its extensive transload network, industrial switching, and short line platforms. Further, Savage, through its subsidiary CANAC Railway Services Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, provides the railroad industry with railroad engineering, planning, design, rehabilitation, and rail training services. Savage owns and/or operates large bulk terminals for coal, petroleum coke, sulfur, and other commodities, as well as system-based transportation moving over 140 million tons annual of coal, coke, waste coal, waste ash, and sulfur. It also provides on-site operations and management services for large power plants and oil refiners. The company has over 110 operations in 31 U.S. states and five Canadian Provinces. The QRS business will be rebranded as Savage QRS and will continue to be based in Golden, Colorado. Jim Moschetti, a long-time rail industry executive and formerly with QRS, will become the Savage QRS leader as its senior vice president. Bob Sleeker, formerly vice president of marketing of QRS, will become vice president-business development for the new organization.
Acron acquires Chinese distribution company
Moscow-Acron reports that its U.S. subsidiary, Agronova International Inc., has completed the registration of acquisition of Beijing Yong Sheng Feng Agricultural Means of Production Co., Ltd., a Chinese-based company licensed by the state to distribute in China mineral fertilizers, both imported and domestically produced, and to sell other chemicals. All licenses and approvals required for a foreign-invested company have been obtained. Yong Sheng Feng has direct contracts with wholesale and retail fertilizer distributors all over China. “This acquisition will allow Acron to further strengthen its position in China, the largest fertilizer market in the world,” said Alexander Popov, Acron chairman of the board. “Through Yong Sheng Feng, we can supply our products to China, position and promote them, and render related services to distributors and farmers. Moreover, we can bring third party producers of fertilizers, both local and international, to our Chinese distribution network.”
NH3 training planned for Canadian first responders
Ottawa-A training and awareness campaign directed at Canada’s first responders has been created by the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council (FSSC) to support the reclassification of anhydrous ammonia. The awareness program was developed in consultation with first responder partners including the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Transport Canada, and the agricultural retail community. The new program, consisting of a training DVD and printed materials, will be distributed to some 3,000 first responders across Canada in early 2009. “Our priority is public safety and the preparedness of first responders if they encounter an incident involving anhydrous ammonia in their community. The training and awareness campaign is one of the ways we inform front-line responders about the importance of recognizing anhydrous ammonia and the action required to protect themselves and the community in the event of a spill.” said Dave Finlayson, FSSC executive director. “We appreciate the support of our first responder partners in developing this program and in communicating this important message.” In Canada, anhydrous ammonia was reclassified under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Now classified as a Class 2.3 toxic gas, anhydrous ammonia will be identified with a new, distinctive black and white placard featuring a cylinder and product number 1005, which will immediately identify anhydrous ammonia as a toxic gas that requires protective measures. “We want first responders to understand that anhydrous ammonia is a commonly used fertilizer in Canada and how to protect themselves and the public in the event of a spill or leak,” said Don Warden, executive director of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The FSSC was launched in 2003 under the leadership of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI). The FSSC promotes the safe and secure manufacturing, handling, storage, transportation, and application of commercial fertilizers thereby protecting employees, transportation workers, first responders, farmers, and the general public from risk due to accidental release, environmental emergency, or criminal misuse of fertilizer products. Program materials will be available through the FSSC web site at or can be requested by calling the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council at 613-786-3031. For more information, see www.fssc.ca.
Alaskans concerned over loss of urea supply
Anchorage-Researchers from agriculture-related departments at the University of Alaska Fairbanks met here last month to discuss what can be done for farmers losing their only in-state source and facing much higher prices for urea with closing of Agrium Inc.’s Nikiski plant a year ago. Those at the gathering were advised that a dwindling supply of the product remains, but Alaska farmers are beginning to order fertilizer from out of state and will have to pay associated shipping costs, which in some cases can mean much higher prices. World economic factors also were considered, which have resulted in similar or greater price increases in other fertilizer components. “Our objectives were simple,” Dr. Milan Shipka, associate director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, told Green Markets. “We want to all be on the same page when anyone in our organization receives questions on fertilizer use and we want to all provide the best advice possible.” Shipka reported that committees were organized to review available information for the various crops and make sure that future research efforts are pointed towards efficiency of fertilizer use in the cold soils associated with agriculture in the sub-arctic conditions of Alaska. Committee members will make recommendations for specific crops, including hay crops, turf grass, grains, and vegetables, and identify future research needs. “When farmers have the best information it helps them plan better and run their businesses more efficiently,” Shipka added. Representatives also attended from UAF’s School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Service.
Pebble Creek to bow out of potash search in India
Vancouver, B.C. and New Delhi, India-Pebble Creek Mining Ltd. said Dec. 29 that it is withdrawing its Reconnaissance Permit (RP) applications for potash exploration in Rajasthan, India. On July 29, 2008, the company announced that it had filed three RP applications on a total of 6,000 square kilometers of previously prospected potash deposits and that the government had accepted these applications. Pebble Creek says that after it applied for the RPs, it learned that some prior applications of unknown location and size had been filed in respect of some of the areas covered by the company’s applications. Only recently the company learned that the state government has granted RPs on 14,400 square kilometers to prior applicants. Those RPs cover all of the main target areas identified by the company. As a result, this week the company will notify the Rajasthan government that it is withdrawing its three potash RP applications and any fractions thereof. It says that under existing law, a party is allowed only 10,000 square kilometers of RPs within a given state. By withdrawing these applications, the company will retain the ability to apply for other large-area RPs in Rajasthan, which is known for Vedanta’s large Rampura-Agucha zinc mine, Hindustan Copper’s Khetri mine complex, and several other copper and zinc districts. Pebble Creek says it has been in India since 1995 and has built up good will and technical and business infrastructure. The company’s main project is the Askot massive sulphide deposit of copper, zinc, gold, silver, and lead in Uttarakhand state.
CrystaTech to partner with GTI on sulfur projects
Austin-CrystaTech, a sulfur removal and technology company, reports that it has executed a five-year agreement with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) for the development of several new clean energy technologies at GTI’s 18-acre R&D facility in Des Plaines, Ill. GTI and CrystaTech will cooperate in the development of technologies for sulfur capture and recovery, with CrystaTech having access to GTI’s facilities and the experience and capabilities of the GTI team. These eco-friendly technologies include CrystaSulf Downhole Sulfur Removal, a regenerable process for the continuous removal and recovery of sulfur depositions in sour gas well bores; CrystaSulf Blue Sky, a regenerable process for the elimination of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from natural gas plants; and Mobile Sulfur Recovery Unit, a mobile regenerable process for the safe testing of sour gas wells. CrystaTech said three demonstration projects are targeted in the Middle East, Canada and China. “The GTI technology development partnership will allow CrystaTech to significantly shorten the technology development life-cycle. Further, GTI’s deep understanding of our patented CrystaSulf process combined with their expertise in managing sulfur removal and recovery issues makes GTI a uniquely qualified R&D partner,” said Eric Klasson, CrystaTech president and CEO.
More power may be on way for Idaho
Pocatello-A New York-based energy company has secured a land option for a large-scale gas-fired power plant not far from the J.R. Simplot Co.’s fertilizer complex west of Pocatello. LS Power Group is also investigating other potential locations in Bannock and Power counties for the plant, which could produce 100 to 600 megawatts and provide electricity for up to 600,000 people. The option is for 40 acres of private land in eastern Power County near a Chevron tank farm across Interstate 86 from Simplot’s Don plant. Southeast Idaho Energy also plans to construct a $1 billion coal-gasified fertilizer plant in Power County. A privately-held development, investment and asset management company, LS Power’s principal offices are in New Jersey, New York, Missouri, California, Florida, and New Hampshire. Its gas- and coal-fired plants represent more than 7,000 megawatts of total capacity. It is also involved in solar and wind power projects. The company reportedly has raised more than $10 billion in debt and equity since 2005. LS Power Vice President Kevin Johnson said the project’s cost could exceed $100 million. The company could submit a permit to construct by no earlier than the third quarter of 2009, Johnson said. The earliest the plant could be finished is 2013, he added, stressing the project is in the investigation and development phases. Johnson said that Southeast Idaho’s availability of an interstate natural gas pipeline and electricity transmission grid appeals to LS Power, estimating it would take up to 30 employees to operate the power plant. Construction would have a significant impact on Pocatello’s economy, he continued. If LS Power opts to build a smaller plant, that would be used mostly during peak hours of consumption. The plant’s power would be sold on the wholesale market to Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Rocky Mountain Power, and other regional utilities. LS Power plans to look into using tax-increment financing or other economic development funding options. Johnson said he plans to continue collaborating with Bannock Development Corp. officials in Pocatello. Natural gas is the cleanest power generation combustion technology available, he emphasized.