Melbourne-Incitec Pivot Ltd. (IPL) said Nov. 16 that it has purchased a majority share of Quantum Fertilisers for an undisclosed sum. IPL is an Australian-based manufacturer and distributor of fertilizer and commercial explosives in Asia, the Pacific, and North America. Quantum is a Hong Kong-based enterprise established to trade in fertilizer and fertilizer-related products. The new enterprise begins trading Dec. 1, 2009, from offices in Hong Kong. It is intended that the network of offices will grow to include other parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. “The acquisition brings together IPL’s financial strength with Quantum’s skills, experience and contacts throughout the world,” said IPL General Manager Supply Chain and Trading James Whiteside, who will assume the role of Quantum CEO, based in Melbourne. He said Quantum will continue to deal with a range of international suppliers and purchasers, as well as facilitate the export of IPL fertilizer and the import of selected fertilizers and raw materials for IPL. However, IPL is not precluded from procuring directly. “For IPL this is another step in growing our international sales and trading business as well as supporting the IPL corporate strategy of linking to the industrialization and growth of Asia, particularly China and India,” said Whiteside. IPL provides inputs into agriculture and mining through its Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and Dyno Nobel businesses, and has significant fertilizer and ammonium nitrate manufacturing assets in Australia and North America.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain