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A.J. Sackett Over a century of innovation

Summary

A.J. Sackett & Sons can draw on a pedigree that extends over one century in providing equipment that has set enduring standards for the fertilizer industry.

Abstract

Having pioneered much of the technology that is used by the fertilizer industry since the company was founded in 1897, A. J. Sackett & Sons Company enjoys unrivalled expertise in engineering systems that have specific applications in fertilizer manufacturing and distribution operations. The company has been based throughout its long history in Baltimore but its technology can be found throughout the world. A.J. Sackett designs and manufactures a very wide range of engineering systems, covering:
l Granulation and compaction systems for NPK, SSP, TSP and ammonium sulphate and other minerals.
l Dryers, coolers, granulators and coating equipment
l Coating systems
l Bulk material handling systems (bulk terminals, rail load/unload, truck load/unload, transfer to and from ship)
l Bulk/physical blending systems (batch, tower and loss in weight)
l Conditioning facilities
l Calciners
l Water soluble fertilizers
l Organics.

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The roller coaster ride resumes

Summary

We focus on the Handysize and Handymax sectors that remain the mainstay for fertilizer shipments in what has been a nervous year to date for the shipping business.

Abstract

As 2010 began, shipowners were united in their belief that the year to come would offer vastly improved prospects for business. The prevailing story of 2009 was one of weathering the storm: it was one of the most challenging years for many a decade as dry bulk freight rates plunged to new lows and a fleet of newbuildings ordered at the crest of the 2006-08 boom threatened to choke the market. The demand for commodities shrank overnight. This applied to fertilizers, as shipments were frozen as letters of credit became very difficult to obtain and fertilizer offtake by the leading importers (especially in the potash sector) fell because buyers withheld demand in the expectation of further falls in market prices. 

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FLSmidth wins Jordan contract

Summary

FLSmidth has won the contract to supply the handling technology for the JPMC phosphate terminal at Aqaba. We look at the company's expertise in handling technology at mines and bulk terminals.

Abstract

On 6 May 2010, the Danish company FLSmidth & Co. announced that it had won a contract worth e70 million ($92 million) with Afcons Infrastructure Limited of India to supply the handling technology for the phosphate terminal project that Afcons is undertaking on behalf of Jordan Phosphates Mines Co. PLC (JPMC). The terminal will be located some 25 km south of the port of Aqaba. Afcons Infrastructure will design and build the terminal, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2012. It will replace the existing terminal in the urban area of Aqaba, the site of which will be redeveloped for tourist facilities. Handling capacity at the new JPMC terminal will total around 6 million t/a of phosphate rock and will include a 190-m long berth, fully equipped with state-of-the-art handling equipment, truck unloading and storage facilities and a long-haul pipe conveyor.

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GPCA addresses food security

Summary

The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) is holding its inaugural fertilizer convention in Dubai on 29-30 September. The meeting will provide a full snapshot of the challenges facing the regional fertilizer industry as it seeks to contribute to the achievement of global food security by 2050. We outline the keynotes.

Abstract

The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) will hold its first fertilizer convention on 29-30 September 2010. The venue is the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE and under the theme of Working towards global food security, the meeting will seek to forecast fertilizer demand and assess strategies for supply. The speaker presentations during the meeting will cover a range of topics, including:

l Market overviews for ammonia, urea, phosphates, potash, sulphur and sulphuric acid
l Forecasts of overall food security challenges
l Focus on the regional requirements of the Indian subcontinent, Australasia and China
l Updates on projects in mining and export-oriented fertilizer projects
l New research and applications of enhanced fertilizer efficiencies.

 

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Kinder Morgan the terminal specialist

Summary

The diversified North American energy company operates numerous fertilizer and raw materials terminals, as well as owning the Devco sulphur forming technology company.

Abstract

Via its ownership of 180 terminals as well as approximately 37,000 miles of pipelines, Kinder Morgan is one of the leading players in the North American logistics industry. The company transports, stores and handles a diversified range of energy and chemical products, including natural gas, refined petroleum products, crude oil, ethanol, coal and carbon dioxide. It also plays a leading role in the distribution of fertilizer products and associated raw materials, having made significant investments in terminals throughout the North American continent to handle potash, phosphates, anhydrous ammonia, sulphur and many other fertilizer products.

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North American farmers are ready to step into the breach

Summary

We guage fertilizer industry sentiment in the light of the latest estimates for planting intentions in the year ahead.

Abstract

This is the time of the year that North American farmers consider their planting intentions for the year ahead. What they decide has a direct impact on fertilizer consumption: the North American fertilizer producers are at the ready to meet that demand.

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New partners get into their stride

Summary

The Italian engineering and construction group Maire Tecnimont has boosted its market leadership by acquiring Stamicarbon B.V., the world market leader in urea licensing. Already, 2010 is shaping up into a good year for new business as the new partnership gels. We profile the enlarged group's engineering, procurement and construction expertise.

Abstract

Maire Tecnimont is enjoying a good year for new fertilizer project contracts. In July, its licensing arm and IP Centre, Stamicarbon, was awarded the contract for the licence of a 3,600 t/d urea plant in Brazil by Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobrás). The project covers the provision of the licence, process design and associated services for the grassroots urea plant that will be constructed in Tres Lagoas in Mato Grosso do Sul state in the central western region of Brazil. The new urea plant will use Stamicarbon’s Urea 2000plus™ technology and Safurex® stainless steel. The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2014.

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How J.R. Simplot brings the earth's resources to life

Summary

We look at the diversified Western US producer's phosphate mining and downstream fertilizer operations.

Abstract

With its motto of Bringing Earth’s Resources to Life, the J.R. Simplot Company is based in Boise, Idaho, and is one of the largest privately-held companies in the United States, enjoying annual sales of around $4.4 billion. As an integrated agribusiness company, J.R. Simplot has a portfolio that includes food processing, fertilizer manufacturing, cattle feeding, and other enterprises associated with agribusiness. From its earliest days, the company sought to be self-sufficient in its requirement for fertilizers and today Simplot has significant investments in fertilizer manufacturing and phosphate mining.

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Siwertell – part of the Cargotec family

Summary

As a member of the Cargotec family of companies and tactical brands, Siwertell enjoys worldwide renown for its shiploaders and unloaders. These are based on a unique screw conveyor technology. Cargotec supplies Siwertell dry bulk handling systems for terminal operators throughout the world, providing high-quality engineering, equipment and after-sales service for a wide range of dry bulk materials handling applications.

Abstract

Siwertell’s scope of service and supply embraces plant and terminal design, ship unloaders, ship loaders, road-mobile ship unloaders, mechanical and pneumatic conveying systems and terminal systems. All are designed to ensure environment-friendly and efficient operations. Siwertell bulk handling equipment is widely employed throughout the fertilizer and associated raw material handling sectors, including sulphur and phosphate rock. Virtually any type of dry bulk commodity can be handled – for example, coal, cement, agribulk products and grain.

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Let's meet in San Francisco

Summary

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) returns to the ever-popular venue of San Francisco for its World Fertilizer Conference. The location is the Westin St. Francis Hotel, in the heart of this pulsating city.

Abstract

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) holds its flagship 2010 World Fertilizer Conference between 12-15 September in San Francisco, California. The location is the Westin St. Francis Hotel, facing Union Square – at the very heart of this pulsating West Coast city. The conference is one of the key events in the annual world fertilizer calendar, as it offers one of the largest forums for all leaders and decision-makers involved in the global fertilizer industry to share thoughts about the trends and issues impacting on the fertilizer sector.

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A year of records at Clearwater

Summary

The Central Florida Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) mined a rich seam at its 34th Annual Clearwater Convention at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on 11-12 June, attracting a record number of delegates and sponsors. The annual examination of current issues on sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid technology has added to the body of knowledge of these topics and inspired further discussion and debate.

Abstract

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Virto offers something exciting

Summary

Virto Group has developed a new screening technology, MFVexcite, which offers phosphate rock and potash producers the opportunity to boost productivity, reduce energy consumption and operate to enhanced environmental standards.

Abstract

Virto Group is an integrated group of businesses, operating in three related but diverse areas:
l Virto Equipment, manufacturing process equipment, sales and support
l Virto Engineering, providing turnkey process technology projects
l Virto Mining, applying modern mining technology in the recovery of high-value products from tailings dumps in the mining, metals and mineral industries.

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