The J. R. Simplot Co. said July 26 that it will expand its Rock Springs, Wyo., fertilizer manufacturing facility, with work commencing on the project immediately to meet increasing demand. The first phase of expansion projects will increase dry phosphate production by more than 30 percent.
While Simplot did not provide specifics, its current ammoniated phosphate (DAP/MAP) production capacity at Rock Springs is listed at 205,000 st/y (P205 basis), according to the International Fertilizer Development Center. The increase would add at least another 61,500 st/y.
Simplot said these expansion efforts will also provide the foundation for future capacity growth in both liquid and dry fertilizers.
“The initial stage is expected to be operational by early 2014,” said Martin Hunt, vice president of mining and manufacturing for Simplot. “This expansion aligns well with our strategic growth objectives, while helping diversify our product offering. A portion of the increased production resulting from these expansion efforts will go to Simplot’s new 40 ROCK™ branded product (12-40-0-6.5-1Zn).”
The company’s Vernal, Utah, mine supplies phosphate ore to the Rock Springs manufacturing facility, and is expected to meet the incremental ore volumes for expansion efforts without further investment. Vernal rock capacity is put at 4 million st/y, according to IFDC.
“The need for expansion in agriculture continues to accelerate as the global demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel increases,” said Garrett Lofto, president of the Simplot AgriBusiness Group. “This expansion is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are confident employees at both Rock Springs and Vernal will continue to take our integrated phosphate operation to new levels of success.”
“For more than 75 years, the J. R. Simplot Co. has played a key role in various sectors of the global food and agriculture system, and our commitment to this responsibility remains unchanged today,” said Bill Whitacre, Simplot president and CEO.
Simplot has additional ammoniated phosphate capacity at Pocatello, Idaho (210,000 st/y P205 basis), and rock capacity of 2.5 million st/y at Caribou County, Idaho.