Agrium Inc. has alerted customers that it does not expect its Carseland, Alberta, manufacturing facility to become operational again until mid-June following the completion of boiler repairs. As a result, the force majeure that Agrium declared on April 2 (GM April 7, p. 1) will continue until the Carseland plant become fully operational.
Agrium reported on April 2 that it had to shut down ammonia and urea operations at the facility due to the failure of the high pressure boiler feedwater supply pumps. It said at the time that it would not be able to fully perform its product supply obligations for urea, ammonia, and ESN for approximately 8 weeks.
Agrium reported on May 9 that it will continue to supply available ammonia and urea to customers on an allocated basis, but ESN – which is produced solely at Carseland – will not be available until production resumes at the facility.