Heerlen, The Netherlands-Dutch officials and DSM on March 4 announced that they have reached an agreement in principle on the termination of ammonia transport by rail between Geleen and IJmuiden. The government has been seeking to reduce the risks of hazardous transport. When these ammonia transports are terminated, the DSM Agro site in IJmuiden will lose its reason for being. DSM has therefore decided to close the site, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The government will compensate DSM for damages. The closure will result in the loss of 120 jobs. One of DSM’s nitric acid plants, which is currently located at IJmuiden, will be relocated to Geleen. DSM is exploring the possibility of expanding fertilizer production in Geleen and thus largely compensating for the loss of capacity in IJmuiden. DSM said the closure of DSM Agro in IJmuiden will have no consequences for the intended sale of DSM’s Agro business, which is part of the company’s Vision 2010.
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