Pursell Agri-Tech LLC, Sylacauga, Ala., on May 26 announced that it has reached terms to build a state-of-the-art controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) production facility in Savannah, Ga., that will greatly expand the reach of its next-generation coating technologies across the Southeast and beyond.
The plant will be located near two rail lines at the SeaGate Terminals. The company said Savannah, which is now the country’s number one port for agricultural exports, adds to its ability to export to international markets as well as to procure raw materials.
The new 75,000 st/y facility will be located at the Haifa Group’s current production site in Savannah. As previously reported (GM April 30, p. 1), Haifa is winding down production at the site and will be shipping some of its plant components to its plant in Lunel, France. Haifa will turn over the facility to Pursell on July 1. Pursell hopes to have its own plant operational by Nov. 1 or the end of the year at the latest.
Pursell said the new facility will complement its existing 150,000 st/y production plant in Sylacauga, which opened in 2018 (GM June 8, 2018), with a significant increase in capacity and improved access to raw materials. Sylacauga employment has grown to 50, and the new plant is expected to have less than half that number.
“Our primary focus at Pursell is to provide growers with the most robust portfolio of controlled-release products available, empowering them with prescriptive, sustainable, and profitable growing solutions,” said Nick Adamchak, Pursell CEO. “Built with innovations like custom release longevities, encapsulated micronutrient mixes, and the industry’s largest range of coated substrates, our CRF products create a level of control unlike any other on the market today. We’re looking forward to serving even more fertilizer retailers through the addition of our Savannah plant.
“As evidenced by the surge in demand that we are witnessing for controlled-release products, customers are hungry for more efficient nutrient delivery that improves crop yields while preserving soil health and water quality,” Adamchak continued. “In that respect, we are just getting started.”
Marketing partners continue to include Florida-based Diamond R Fertilizer, Plant Products, Leamington, Ont., and Sollio Cooperative Group (formerly La Coop fédérée), Montreal, and also now include major retailers Helena Agri-Enterprises, Wilbur Ellis Co. Inc., and Growmark Inc., as well as regional players, custom blenders, and T&O companies. The company said it has also added to its international distribution portfolio.
Stamicarbon BV, Sittard, The Netherlands, a unit of Maire Tecnimont Group, Milan, continues as a minority shareholder and as the exclusive licensing partner outside of North America.
Major raw material suppliers include CF Industries Holdings Inc., Yara International ASA, Nutrien Ltd., SQM Inc., and EuroChem AG.
“Studies have repeatedly proven the value of our products,” added Adamchak. “For example, extensive physical properties testing has demonstrated that Pursell-coated nitrogen and phosphate-based fertilizers are better able to withstand impact and excessive handling that occurs in distribution, handling and application of the fertilizer, mitigating the risk of catastrophic nutrient release.”
Pursell products include PurKote (purple for use in turf and ornamental), PurYield (pink for use in broadacre) and PurForm (orange for use in specialty). The company noted that they are coated with a uniquely thin, pliable, and durable membrane that enables higher nutrient content, more consistent and predictable release rates, and the flexibility to perform in all climates.
The technology also allows for the inclusion of micronutrients and temperature sensitive additives, such as biologicals, growth enhancers, and soil health promoters, to optimize nutrient synchronization and plant uptake.
Pursell said its coated products can reduce leaching by 69 percent for nitrogen-based fertilizers and 82 percent for phosphate-based fertilizers, according to trials. Whereas uncoated urea can lose up to 40 percent ammonia to volatilization, Pursell products lose only 5 percent ammonia.