All Posts from June 23, 2015

Israel tenders for NH3 plant – Alert

Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry and Finance Ministry have issued a long-awaited tender for construction of an ammonia plant in southern Israel. The plant is designed to meet domestic needs and lead to the shutdown of a ammonia storage facility in Haifa.
 
Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabai predicted that within two to three months final bids would be presented by seven companies or groups that pre-qualified for the project and that a final decision would be taken within four months on the winner. Gabai predicted that the ammonia storage facility in Haifa that is owned and operated by Haifa Chemicals would be shut down at the latest by 2018.  Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon estimated the cost of the ammonia plant at $275 million and said the tender is on the extent of government assistance for the project. Capacity for the plant is reported at 150,000 mt/y.

CFI names new president/CEO – Alert

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) board of directors has appointed Garth Whyte as president and CEO. He assumes leadership from Clyde Graham, who has served as acting president since Oct.  1, 2014. Graham will resume his responsibilities as senior vice president.

CFI says Whyte brings decades of industry association, advocacy, and government experience, most recently as president and CEO of Restaurants Canada. Restaurants Canada is the voice of Canada’s$72-billion foodservices industry, with more than 30,000 members including restaurants, bars, caterers and other foodservice providers. Previously, he was executive vice president at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) where he held several other positions in his 23-year career. CFIB is Canada’s largest business association, representing 109,000 owners of small-and-medium sized businesses. Whyte began his career with the Government of Saskatchewan.

"Garth brings a breadth and depth of experience to CFI at a time that Canada’s fertilizer industry is facing significant growth opportunities," said Greg Yont of Agrium Inc. and chairman of CFI’s board of directors. "Garth’s proven leadership skills, relationship-building focus and knowledge of government will elevate CFI’s existing economic, social and environmental programs, while promoting the industry to decision-makers and all Canadians."
CFI represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers.