Basel, Switzerland—Syngenta and Novozymes have announced a global agreement under which Syngenta will work with Novozymes to commercialize the Novozymes technology JumpStart, a seed-applied biological that increases phosphate solubility in the soil. The two companies will jointly develop the market for JumpStart in combination with Syngenta’s Seed Care portfolio on crops including cereals and corn. The agreement extends the geographic potential of JumpStart, currently sold mainly in North America, to the rest of the world. JumpStart is based on a unique fungus Penicillium bilaii, which increases phosphate uptake into the plant through the root system. The companies say the market potential for seed-applied technologies to increase phosphate efficiency is estimated at over $100 million.
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Two cited for ammonia violations
Buffalo, N.Y—The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited New York companies for workplace violations relating to anhydrous ammonia. Sorrento Lactalis Inc., a cheese maker, has been cited for 13 alleged repeat and serious violations at its Buffalo production facility. Sorrento is contesting the citations, denying and strenuously objecting to allegations. In addition, OSHA has cited milk products manufacturer Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. for 12 alleged violations of workplace safety standards involving anhydrous ammonia used in the refrigeration system at its Rochester production facility. Fines are proposed in the amount of $299,300.
Biosolids facility meets strong Va. opposition
Culpeper, Va.—Finding a location for storing biosolids fertilizer for use by area farmers is a serious problem for Recyc Systems and its associate Padlands Inc. “It’s a constant battle to find places for our storage. It’s always going to be a problem,” Recycle Systems President Steve Foushee told Green Markets after the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted 5-1 to deny a use permit for a local facility because of strong local objections mainly because of odors and traffic. The Culpeper area became the latest example where, after a recent marathon public hearing during which both sides had their say, it took the board of county supervisors only 100 minutes to turn down the storage facility. It was a situation where those in favor were totally outnumbered by nearly 100 residents who opposed the proposal, even though Recyc Systems and Padlands Inc. had offered several concessions modifying their proposal. Even members of 4-H and FFA turned out in support of the Foushee and Recyc Systems, pointing out their contribution to the community. But community members had circulated a petition citing concerns over odors of the facility, depreciating property values, historic battlefield sites in the area, truck traffic, and environmental reasons, primarily focused on the nearby Rappahannock River. Foushee said he’s already identified several sites, including one in Culpeper county and several in other counties, that he’s looking into. “Finding a site for a routine storage facility is always going to be a problem because of access for truck traffic and other concerns (like) keeping everybody happy,” he noted. “But we’ve been diligent and confident we’ll find something in the near future.”
Howard opens new facility, adds services
Orlando, Fla.—Florida-based Howard Fertilizer and Chemical Company Inc. on May 3 announced the addition of application services to its portfolio of offerings, supported by the company’s new distribution facility in Charlotte, N.C. The company’s application services division, led by Aaron Morton, offers services to golf courses and municipalities and includes state-of-the art spreader equipment and GPS tracking. The Charlotte facility provides fertilizer, chemical, and seed distribution service to customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and portions of Virginia and Tennessee. Managing the Charlotte sales team is Brian Buchanan, Southeast regional sales manager. Howard said Buchanan “offers significant experience in sales and distribution in the turf industry.” Howard is family-owned and operated, with Florida plants in Orlando, Lake Placid, and Groveland, and distribution centers in Orlando, Bowling Green, Homestead, Immokalee, Delray Beach, Charlotte, and Alpharetta, Ga. The company specializes in blending custom fertilizers for agriculture, commercial pest control, lawn care, sod growers, golf courses, and ornamentals.
Slow release fertilizer from biosolids
Lakeland, Fla.—Green Technologies is in the early stages of permitting for a new facility on 24 acres of land here to produce its unique slow-release GreenEdge brand of organic fertilizer from biosolids from a nearby wastewater treatment facility. “This would be a new facility in central Florida, the first of three plants that are planned in the central and southern part of the state,” Amir Varshovi, company president, told Green Markets. “We are going to break ground the end of the year and be in operation next year. We’re in the process of determining the location of the other two.” Headquartered in Gainesville, Fla., Green Technologies has developed a patented process for producing an organic-based fertilizer with a multi-release mechanism that Varshovi says sets it apart from regular or traditional organic fertilizer that rely on microbial degradation only. “GreenEdge has a mechanism for release by hydrolysis, as well as microbial degradation for mineralization that gives slow release capability with initial release from three or five days and also year-around release that is not impacted during cooler time of the year,” Varshovi pointed out. Advantages claimed for the product include better results with less fertilizer and less water, no plant burning while adding organic matter to soil, and improved resistance to disease and drought. “We have developed several markets for these products. Agriculture is part of our market, which also includes horticulture as well as golf courses and the lawn and garden consumer market.” He disclosed that current production of 15,000 tons per year is expected to quadruple with three facilities constructed and in operation. “Actually, we supply GreenEdge products throughout retail markets through Ace hardware stores, and some product out of Florida will reach into Central America as well as the Caribbean islands.” He also reported that the product offers different analyses, ranging up to 12 percent nitrogen, and P and K ranging from 1 to 3 percent and up to 8 percent.
Agrium AT joins green group
Loveland, Colo.—Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT) reports that it has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the first fertilizer manufacturer to receive this designation. The USGBC is a diverse, member-driven organization that identifies and implements practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions through education, research, and its internationally recognized, independent Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. Agrium said that as the world’s leader in controlled-release fertilizer technology, AAT is also at the forefront of environmental responsibility in the fertilizer industry through its organizational commitment to sustainable business practices, innovative technology, and education efforts. It said AAT’s Duration CR Controlled-Release Fertilizer product line is an environmentally responsible option for turf maintenance professionals, owners, and operators to help their projects meet the standards required for green building.
CF reports record 1Q
CF Industries Holdings Inc. reported record earnings attributable to common shareholders for the first quarter ending March 31, 2012 at $368.4 million ($5.54 per diluted share) on net sales of $1.53 billion, compared to the year-ago $282 million ($3.91 per share) on sales of $1.17 billion.
STC postpones tender, allows Iranian tons
The STC tender in India that was to close today was pushed back until May 8. The buying house also changed its rules to allow Iranian tons to be offered. The change in the rules will now allow regular Iranian middlemen such as Emmsons to participate. It will also mean that STC should see lower prices than what was expected under the previous restrictions.
The move to allow Iranian tons will most likely cause trouble for traders who picked up tons from the CIS. The price out of Yuzhnyy shot up under the speculation that only CIS and the Arab produced urea would be allowed in the tender.
China is out of the running until July 1 when the export duty drops to 7 percent.
Mosaic updates guidance
The Mosaic Co. today updated its near-term market outlook for its potash and phosphates. It said since it announced fiscal fourth quarter guidance on March 28, 2012, domestic and international crop nutrient markets have strengthened significantly, meeting the upper end of management’s initial expectations and resulting in an improved near-term volume outlook.
"Global demand for crop nutrients has increased sharply, driven by an early and strong spring season in North America, combined with increasing shipments to South America," said Mosaic President and CEO Jim Prokopanko. "We expect demand to continue to grow, and crop nutrients to remain affordable. We anticipate another year of high farm income in North America – the second highest on record – and strong farm economics around the world. Our long-term outlook for the business is positive."
In light of the rapid acceleration in demand, the company believes fourth quarter fiscal 2012 volumes for both potash and phosphates will be in the upper end of the guidance ranges. As previously disclosed, these guidance ranges are: Potash: 1.7 to 2.2 million mt and Phosphates: 2.3 to 2.7 million mt.
The forecast continues to anticipate limited North American inventory re-stocking at the end of the spring application season.
All other guidance, including pricing and phosphates segment margin expectations, is unchanged.
APF, BASF partner in project
Ground-breaking ceremony was held April 24 at a BASF’s Freeport, Texas, chemical complex, where it was announced that BASF and customer, American Plant Food Corp. (APF), Galena Park, Texas, will soon begin construction on a joint venture 160,000 st/y ammonium sulfate crystallizer system at BASF’s caprolactum plant.
Once completed, the crystallizer will refine ammonium sulfate, a by-product of the caprolactum manufacturing process. AS is a key product of APF. Construction of the crystallizer is expected to take six months to complete and will cost about $8 million. The project will employ 20 construction personnel and will create 30 jobs off-site for local companies.
“We are excited that BASF sees the value in this project and is able to work with us to make our vision a reality,” said Don Ford, APF president, CEO and chairman. “With our earlier crystallizer project being such a success, we look forward to what we will both be able to achieve with the new one.”
“BASF and American Plant Food have had a successful partnership for more than 45 years,” said Herman Althoff, BASF senior vice president of the company’s Polyamide and Intermediates global business unit. “This project shows our dedication to having one of the best quality ammonium sulfate products on the market.”
“This provides BASF and American Plant Food with a unique opportunity to gain significant benefits for both parties,” said Chris Witte, BASF senior vice president and general manager of the Freeport site. “It is an excellent example of finding innovative uses for by-products and reducing waste in our manufacturing processes – as well as helping our customers succeed.”
BASF is the world’s largest manufacturer of caprolactum, which is an intermediate for producing polyamide (PA) 6. PA 6 applications range from transparent and flexible food packaging, fishing lines and nets, cable sheathings, textile fibers for outdoor sportswear and carpets to lightweight components for cars.