Rio de Janeiro-Vale S.A. reported a stellar performance for the fourth quarter and year ending Dec. 31, 2010. Vale said it was the best ever annual result, characterized by all-time high figures for operating revenues, operating income, operating margin, cash generation, and net earnings. Fourth-quarter net earnings were US$5.92 billion on sales of $15.2 billion, up from the year-ago $1.52 billion and sales of $6.54 billion. Full-year net income was $17.3 billion on sales of $46.5 billion, up from the prior year’s $5.3 billion on sales of $23.94 billion. Fertilizer results reflected the start-up of Vale’s new phosphate project in Peru. Fourth-quarter fertilizer revenues were $769 million, up from the year-ago $108 million, while full-year revenues were $1.85 billion, up from the prior year’s $413 million.

Toronto-Marsulex Inc. reported a 64.9 percent increase in sales for the fourth-quarter ending Dec. 31, 2010, to $85.6 million from the year-ago $51.9 million. Revenues were up, due in part to increased sales volumes of sulfur-based products in the Western Markets segment, as well as increased prilled sulfur revenue in the Industrial Services segment. While fourth-quarter earnings were up 295 percent to $23.7 million from the year-ago $6 million, much of that increase was a one-time gain of about $17 million from the sale of its Stablex business to U.S. Ecology Inc. Absent that, earnings were level with those of a year ago at $5.7 million. The gain also boosted full-year earnings to $45.6 million on sales of $288.8 million, compared to the prior year’s $33.5 million on sales of $262 million. Absent the gain, earnings from continuing operations were $27.1 million. As reported in 2010, Marsulex continues to look at its strategic options.

Toronto-Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund reported net earnings of C$11.9 million on sales of $151.3 million for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2010, compared to the year-ago $12.5 million on sales of $132.8 million. Fourth-quarter EBITDA was $16.3 million, versus the year-ago $24.1 million. Chemtrade said the revenue increase for the quarter reflects improved demand and volume for sulfuric acid, and higher sulfur prices. The full benefit of these factors were not fully realized due to reduced product available due to sourcing changes from Vale S.A., as well as reduced supply from the Beaumont facility, which was still offline during half of the fourth quarter. Full-year net earnings were $34.9 million on sales of $558.1 million, down from the prior year’s $46.9 million on sales of $546.2 million. EBITDA was also down at $76.4 million from $81.3 million.

Hong Kong-Commodity and logistics giant Noble Group reported record profit and revenues for the year ending Dec. 31, 2010. Net profit was US$606 million on revenues of $56.7 billion, up from the prior year’s $556 million on sales of $31.2 billion. Noble said revenues more than doubled in its Energy sector to $37 billion, and rose 63 percent in Agriculture to $12 billion.

Calgary-Agrium Inc. is making arrangements with its customers to return Rainbow NPK products containing zinc shipped between Sept. 1, 2010, and Nov. 19, 2010, from its Hartsville, Dunn, and Florence locations. These products contain a small amount of a zinc feedstock (less than 5 percent), which has an unclear source history and may not have met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s raw material requirements. Agrium said this does not meet its standards and it is making arrangements to return these products due to the regulatory uncertainty of the feedstock. While the history of the feedstock is unclear, Agrium says analyses show that all of the end products meet applicable state standards and Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) safety guidelines for fertilizer used on food crops. Agrium said it was unaware of any concern with the raw material at the time of purchase and is reviewing its raw material evaluation process. It is estimated that approximately 12,100 st of the product reached the market. It has been identified, and the company is contacting those customers who received these products to arrange for their return. For more details, see www.agrium.com.

Berezniki-A Perm Territory Arbitazh Commercial Court has issued a temporary injunction prohibiting the implementation of the merger agreement of Uralkali and Silvinit. The companies said the injunction does not affect completion of acquisition by Uralkali of 20 percent of Silvinit’s ordinary shares. The court preliminary hearing on the merits of the claim is scheduled for April 12, 2011. Uralkali and Silvinit believe that the injunction and the claim brought by minority Silvinit shareholders, including Acron, are entirely without merit and intend to contest them vigorously. The merger had been expected to close by the end of the first quarter.

Macon, Ga.-A Moultrie, Ga., couple has pleaded guilty to violating the federal hazardous materials transportation law by transporting 19 shipments of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and Telone II pesticide between January and July 2009 using a trucking company under a federal out-of-service order, according to the Office of U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said Thomas and Cathy Watson admitted to transporting the hazardous materials using their TomCat Trucking Inc. of Doerun, Ga., which was under order from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and was administratively dissolved by the Georgia secretary of state after having received an unsatisfactory safety rating. Moore said the Watsons agreed to a sentencing condition banning them from applying for or holding any commercial motor carrier permit for the duration of their sentences. They each face a maximum penalty of up to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be scheduled by U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson at a later date.

St. Paul-CHS Inc. said March 4 that it has begun trading fertilizer at its European operations office in Geneva, Switzerland. CHS currently sources crop nutrients from 19 countries, but until now has only marketed fertilizer products domestically. “In many geographies, we’re already shipping grain to the same regions where we buy fertilizer. Fully integrating these businesses will help us maximize our sourcing and logistical strengths and better serve customers,” says Mark Palmquist, CHS executive vice president and chief operating officer, Ag Business. “We’ll be in a stronger position to add shareholder value by creating unique offers and distribution efficiencies.” Joining CHS in Geneva are Walter Singer, manager of CHS Europe fertilizer department, and Hans von der Brelie, effective April 1, manager of CHS Europe fertilizer marketing. They will be responsible for sourcing and marketing fertilizer throughout the company’s European operations, which includes the Black Sea region, former Soviet Union countries, the Middle East, Africa and for fertilizers, the Indian subcontinent. They will report to Claudio Scarrozza, senior vice president, CHS Europe. Prior to joining CHS, both had extensive experience in the sector with multinational companies. Earlier this year, CHS added Hussam Deranieh, area manager, Middle East, CHS Europe, to its Amman, Jordan, office, also reporting to Scarrozza. North American fertilizer customers already doing business with CHS will gain better global connections and insight, says Palmquist. “Increasingly, world events trigger fertilizer market events, in terms of production outages and export disruption,” he says. “Experienced international traders in Europe and the Middle East focusing solely on fertilizer markets will give our domestic supply and marketing team additional market intelligence to help customers better manage volatility and risk.”

Montevideo, Minn.-The Farmers Union Oil Co-op ag center here is hoping a district court judge’s ruling has put to rest objections over moving three anhydrous ammonia tanks that a neighboring property owner has been raising since summer of 2009 (GM July 12, 2010). General Manager Glen Moe told Green Markets that the judge with some reservations ruled Feb. 16 that the city’s issuance of a conditional use permit for the tank facility was not “unreasonably arbitrary or capricious,” as claimed by the resident. Moe said the resident had asserted that the city didn’t follow “certain protocol” getting the safety part of it clarified. “He can appeal if he wants to, but I understand that it would cost him $20,000 or more, and from what I’ve been told he probably would not proceed,” Moe added. In a memorandum attached to the ruling, the judge stated: “This matter raises competing interests and legitimate concerns on both sides of this argument. While this court still has reservations relating to health and safety in view of documented anhydrous ammonia releases in the state, the court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the governing body.” Actually, Moe pointed out, moving the tanks makes them safer than they were in the original location. They were about 150 feet from a mobile home manufacturing facility with 200-250 employees. Moving them south 1,700 ft. puts them where there are only four or five people living nearby.

Kansas City, Kan.-ADI Agronomy Inc., which owns a group of farm supply facilities in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, has agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to a $54,922 civil penalty to resolve chemical risk management program violations involving anhydrous ammonia operations at ADI’s Ag Distributors retail facility at Kennett, Mo. According to EPA Region 7, the Kennett facility was issued an administrative compliance order in July 2010 after an inspection noted eight violations, including failure to establish and implement maintenance procedures to ensure the ongoing integrity of ammonia process equipment, and failure to document that the equipment complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. ADI uses, stores, manufactures, or handles on-site movement of 10,000 pounds or more of anhydrous ammonia in its fertilizer production process. Like other such facilities that mix or blend fertilizers using anhydrous ammonia but do not sell directly to farmers, EPA pointed out, ADI must implement the most stringent preventative program, which requires detailed safety precautions, preventative maintenance, operating procedures, and employee training measures. As part of its settlement with EPA, ADI has certified that the Kennett facility is now in compliance with regulations. ADI is a unit of Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, LaVergne, Tenn.