Posts By Date - Green Markets

Mosaic updates guidance

The Mosaic Co. today updated its near-term market outlook for its potash and phosphates. It said since it announced fiscal fourth quarter guidance on March 28, 2012, domestic and international crop nutrient markets have strengthened significantly, meeting the upper end of management’s initial expectations and resulting in an improved near-term volume outlook.

"Global demand for crop nutrients has increased sharply, driven by an early and strong spring season in North America, combined with increasing shipments to South America," said Mosaic President and CEO Jim Prokopanko. "We expect demand to continue to grow, and crop nutrients to remain affordable. We anticipate another year of high farm income in North America – the second highest on record – and strong farm economics around the world. Our long-term outlook for the business is positive."

In light of the rapid acceleration in demand, the company believes fourth quarter fiscal 2012 volumes for both potash and phosphates will be in the upper end of the guidance ranges. As previously disclosed, these guidance ranges are: Potash: 1.7 to 2.2 million mt and Phosphates: 2.3 to 2.7 million mt.

The forecast continues to anticipate limited North American inventory re-stocking at the end of the spring application season.

All other guidance, including pricing and phosphates segment margin expectations, is unchanged.

APF, BASF partner in project

April 25, 2012Ammonium Sulfate, Breaking Industry Newstraceybg@gmail.com

Ground-breaking ceremony was held April 24 at a BASF’s Freeport, Texas, chemical complex, where it was announced that BASF and customer, American Plant Food Corp. (APF), Galena Park, Texas, will soon begin construction on a joint venture 160,000 st/y ammonium sulfate crystallizer system at BASF’s caprolactum plant.

Once completed, the crystallizer will refine ammonium sulfate, a by-product of the caprolactum manufacturing process. AS is a key product of APF. Construction of the crystallizer is expected to take six months to complete and will cost about $8 million. The project will employ 20 construction personnel and will create 30 jobs off-site for local companies.

“We are excited that BASF sees the value in this project and is able to work with us to make our vision a reality,” said Don Ford, APF president, CEO and chairman. “With our earlier crystallizer project being such a success, we look forward to what we will both be able to achieve with the new one.”

“BASF and American Plant Food have had a successful partnership for more than 45 years,” said Herman Althoff, BASF senior vice president of the company’s Polyamide and Intermediates global business unit. “This project shows our dedication to having one of the best quality ammonium sulfate products on the market.”

“This provides BASF and American Plant Food with a unique opportunity to gain significant benefits for both parties,” said Chris Witte, BASF senior vice president and general manager of the Freeport site. “It is an excellent example of finding innovative uses for by-products and reducing waste in our manufacturing processes – as well as helping our customers succeed.”

BASF is the world’s largest manufacturer of caprolactum, which is an intermediate for producing polyamide (PA) 6. PA 6 applications range from transparent and flexible food packaging, fishing lines and nets, cable sheathings, textile fibers for outdoor sportswear and carpets to lightweight components for cars.