London — Upstart potash producer Sirius Minerals Plc said last week that it has signed a marketing agreement with Keytrade AG to market up to 1.75 million mt/y of polyhalite, a multi-nutrient mineral containing four of the six macro-nutrients (potassium, sulfur, magnesium, and calcium) required for plant growth, to be produced at the York Potash Project currently under development by Sirius in North Yorkshire in the U.K. The project’s initial production is currently scheduled to begin in late 2016, with a first phase production target of 5 million mt/y. Keytrade will be marketing in key regions of Central and South America (excluding Brazil) and South East Asia, as well as specific countries in Europe and Africa. Keytrade, founded in 1997 in Switzerland, is a private company 50 percent owned by its founders and 50 percent owned by CF Industries Holdings Inc.
Israel Chemicals Ltd.’s Performance Products operating segment will only be acquiring the phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) business assets and operations of Thermphos International BV (NL), located in Knapsack, Germany. No other assets are involved, sources tell Green Markets.
P2S5 is a specialty ingredient used in the manufacture of highly technical materials such as lubrication oil additives, pesticides, mining chemicals, and other products. Due to its very specialized nature, P2S5 is currently manufactured in only a limited number of plants in the world, and ICL-PP is a leading manufacturer of P2S5 in North America.
“This acquisition complements ICL’s global presence in phosphorus-based specialty ingredients” said Charles Weidhas, president and CEO of ICL-PP. “It is the next step in the global expansion strategy that we have been following for the past decade, carrying out complementary acquisitions that have transformed our company into a global leader in agriculture, food, water, and specialty materials markets".
Israel Chemicals Ltd. has announced plans to acquire Thermphos International BV, a phosphorus pentasulfide maker, with a plant in Knapsack, Germany. Thermphos will become part of ICL’s Performance Products unit.
Spot Barge Prices
st/FOB U.S. Gulf
| Ammonia |
640 |
| Urea (g) |
410-417 |
| Urea (p) |
410-415 |
| DAP |
465-470 |
Sioux Falls, S.D. — Minnehaha County commissioners have given their approval to a new $10 million agronomy center (GM Feb. 18, p. 11) to be built by Eastern Farmers Cooperative approximately 3 miles north of Colton despite the concerns of residents about the facility handling and using anhydrous ammonia. County Planning Director Scott Anderson reported that commissioners endorsed the project, allowing a maximum ammonia capability of 30,000 gallons, after hearing from some residents that possible spills would threaten the safety of nearby residents, especially a family of six homeschooled children and others at a daycare within about 600 feet of the proposed plant. Commissioner Dick Kelly said safety precautions at a similar Eastern Farmers plant he toured in Worthing eased his concerns about potential anhydrous spills. Commission Chairman Gerald Beninga suggested the anhydrous tanks be moved to the south edge of the property, as far away from nearby residences as possible. The Feb. 19 vote was 4 to 0, with one commissioner absent. Co-op officials had told Green Markets before the hearing that it was too early to disclose details about the new installation, which will replace several smaller operations.
Parkston, S.D. — Dakota Plains Ag Center LLC reports that Cargill AgHorizons will operate its retail and wholesale agronomy business, located south of Parkston. The grain business will continue to be managed by Dakota Plains. “We look forward to growing the relationships Dakota Plains has developed with area customers and are excited about the opportunity to provide farmers access to our latest technology and risk management tools,” said Doug Fjelland, general manager, Cargill AgHorizons, Sioux Falls, S.D. Those include Cargill’s precision agriculture-related NextField™ System, Agronomy ProShop™, and Accelerated Acre™. Dakota Plains Ag Center is a 50-50 joint venture between Cargill and Farmers Elevator of Tripp, and includes elevators at North Tripp, Parkston, Scotland, and Tripp, S.D. Cargill’s lease involves only the agronomy business in Parkston.
Washington — The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a proposed consent decree was filed in the case United States v. Mosaic Fertilizer LLC (Civil Action No. 8:13-cv-386-T-26TGW) on Feb. 11 before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The decree resolves claims for natural resource damages under the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and Florida law in connection with the release of hazardous acidic process water from the gypsum stack at the defendant’s phosphoric acid/fertilizer production facility in Riverview, Fla. The decree requires the defendant to perform certain wetland restoration projects, to execute conservation easements for the protection of approximately 104 acres of habitat near the release area, and to pay past and future assessment costs of the trustees and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. Past costs currently being sought are just over $140,000. Comments are due March 18, 2013. They should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to United States v. Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-1-1-08961. Comments may be submitted by email to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov, or by mail to Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ – ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611.
Bradenton, Fla. — The Mosaic Co. has asked the Manatee County Commission to allow it to make significant changes to its permit for its Wingate Creek Extension, which was approved in June 2012. The changes include allowing it to mine 280 acres of clay settling ponds, to reduce the berm it uses to keep water from flowing into the Manatee River watershed, and to be allowed to process ore from Wingate and from other mining sites, according to local media reports. In addition, the company asked to be allowed to continue using trucks to haul material for another nine years – to 2023 – and to postpone reclamation until 2027. Last year, Mosaic received approval to mine about 645 acres and destroy 49 acres of wetlands. Opponents expressed concern the changes would affect air quality and endanger water supplies, including wells in the area. The last time the Manatee County Commission rejected a permit from the company Mosaic threatened to file a $600 million lawsuit, and the commission quickly reversed its 2008 decision. Mosaic did not respond to a request for a comment.
Tallahassee, Fla. — The secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) said "no" to an offer from The Mosaic Co. to give the state 4,100 acres on the Peace River for use as a state park. The move came as a surprise, because the state had previously eyed the land for possible purchase. The Peaceful Horse Ranch in DeSoto County was valued at about $14 million, and Mosaic had pledged to pay $2 million for upkeep of the proposed park, according to local media reports. The FDEP said the land did not meet its high standards and was not appropriate for a state park. The rejection was met with dismay in some quarters, including the environmental community, which had opposed mining in the area but supported the acquisition of the land from Mosaic. The company did not respond to a request for a comment.
Portland — Canpotex is planning a new storage facility at the Port of Portland, in Oregon, according to a recent report in the Portland Business Journal (PBJ). Canpotex unit Portland Bulk Terminals LLC has filed for a permit to do preliminary work toward that goal at the 100-acre site it currently leases at Terminal 5. Canpotex already has one 135,000 mt wooden storage unit at the site. Doubling of capacity is a part of the Port’s 2020 master plan, according to PBJ, although Canpotex did not comment.
Disclaimer of Warranty
All information has been obtained by Green Markets from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, Green Markets or others, Green Markets does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.
For additional details visit our
Terms of Use.
