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Fertilizer financial scorecard

Summary

We compare and contrast the 2019 financial performance of the major listed fertilizer producers, following the publication of fourth-quarter results.

Abstract

Nutrien: stable in a challenging year Nutrien is the world’s largest crop nutrient company with a market capitalisation of almost $20 bill­ion (Figure 1). Keywords: Company, Results, 2019, Full year, Fourth quarter, Results, Revenues, Earnings, EBITDA, Free cash flow, Net debt, Nutrien, Mosaic, CF, Yara, K+S, EuroChem, PhosAgro, ICL

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Covid-19 and fertilizers – 5 things you need to know

Summary

CRU's Laura Cross guides us through the current Covid-19 crisis and flags up the unique risks faced by the fertilizer industry as the pandemic unfolds.

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has widespread implications for commodity markets, and fertilizers are no exception. The agricultural sector has been caught between a range of conflicting drivers – from the essential nature of food production, to the need to contain the spread of the pandemic. Keywords: Covid-19, Pandemic, Coronavirus, Recession, Economy, Downside, Risks, Agriculture, Fertilizers, Market, Potash, MOP, Demand, Supply, Chain, Logistics, Production, Shutdowns, Deliveries, Disruption, Lockdown, Operating rates, Labour, Logistics, Shortages, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Palm, Energy, Currency, Devaluations, Oil, Gas, Price, Feedstocks, Nitrogen, India, China, Russia, Brazil

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Digitalisation and big data

Summary

Digitalisation and the analysis of big data are playing an increasing role in fertilizer production. Innovative digital and cloud-based services are being offered by a range of technology companies, including Casale, tkIS, Topsoe and TOYO.

Abstract

Chemical plants generate huge amounts of data every single day. Raw data needs to be analysed and converted into useful and actionable knowledge to get the full benefit from this wealth of information. Most of the time, however, only the most critical and prominent performance indicators are generally analysed by plant operators due to lack of internal resources and/or specific expertise. Keywords: Production,Technology,Process,Big data, Data, Digital, Remote, Services, Online, Modelling, Simulation, Platform, Plant, Urea, Ammonia, Optimisation, Optimization, Digitalisation, Digitalization, Internet of things, Industrial, Iot, IIot, Cloud computing, Industry 4.0, TOYO, Casale,thyssenkrupp, tkIS, Topsoe

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Sulphuric acid plant design & materials

Summary

We highlight recent innovations in sulphuric acid plant design and construction. NORAM and CPPE are offering a new hybrid sulphuric acid process. KVT, meanwhile, has upgraded its wet sulphuric acid technology to reduce capex, opex and emissions. Improved methods of construction and new materials from Koch Knight are also helping to optimise acid tower design

Abstract

Increasingly stringent emissions regulation are an increasing challenge, both for currently operating sulphuric acid plants and those under development. To help meet new emissions targets for sulphur-containing gases, NORAM in partnership with CPPE have introduced the Hybrid Sulphuric Acid Process (HSAP). Keywords: Sulphuric acid, Technology, Design, Material, Process, Plant, Innovation, Noram, CPPE, KVT, Koch Knight, HSAP, Hybrid sulphuric acid process, OXYSULF, Sulfacid, Acid towers,Brick,Lined, Alloy,Packing

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Umm Wu'al phosphoric acid pants

Summary

Three large-scale phosphoric acid plants constructed as part of the world-class Umm Wu'al project in Saudi Arabia are now fully operational. James Byrd of Worley (formerly Jacobs ECR) describes the execution of the project from basic engineering through to plant performance tests.

Abstract

Three phosphoric acid plants were constructed as a part of the Umm Wu’al chemical complex in Saudi Arabia. Ma’aden and Mosaic joined together to spearhead the project’s management and develop what is now a world-class phosphate operation. Keywords: Umm Wu’al, Project, Profile, Engineering, Detail,Basic, Construction, Commissioning, Start up, Performance, Testing, Guarantees, Phosphoric acid, Plants, PAP, Sabic, Ma’aden, Mosaic, Worley, Jacobs, Hanwha, Saudi Arabia, Di-hydrate, Dihydrate DH, Ma’aden Wa’ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company, MWSPC

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North America's phosphate producers

Summary

We profile the US 'big three' North American phosphate producers, Mosaic, Nutrien and Simplot, and disruptive market entrant Itafos.

Abstract

For decades during the post-war period, North America enjoyed a commanding position globally as a supplier of phosphate rock and finished phosphate products. But since the 1990s the region’s global influence has been increasingly challenged by the rise of other centres of phosphate production – in China, Morocco, India, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Brazil and elsewhere. Keywords: North America’s phosphate producers, North America, Canada, United States, US, Mosaic, Nutrien, Simplot,I tafos, Phosphates, Phosphate, Rock, Fertilizers, Finished,Products, Phosphoric acid,Exports, Imports, Industry, Consolidation, Mergers, Acquisition, Diammonium phosphate, DAP, Monoammonium phosphate, MAP, Production, Capacity, Market

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Evaporation and crystallisation technology

Summary

Evaporation and crystallisation are widely used throughout the fertilizer industry. Major applications and the types of equipment used are reviewed by Laurent Palierne and Norbert Strieder of GEA Group.

Abstract

Fertilizer production relies on efficient processes and mature technologies. This article provides an overview of the use of evaporation and crystallisation technologies in fertilizer manufacture. The trend for purification to optimise product quality via precipitation, membrane filtration and ion exchange is also outlined. Keywords: GEA, Process, Production, Technology, Evaporation, Crystallisation, Crystallization, Crystalliser, Crystallizer, Evaporator, Falling film, Forced circulation, Oslo, Flash cooling, Draft tube baffled, Single, Double, Effect, Reactive, Evaporative, Potash, MOP, Potassium chloride, Ammonium sulphate, AS, Monoammonium phosphate, (MAP), Water soluble,Fertilizers, Fertigation, Foliar, Brine

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Water-soluble fertilizers: it's crystal clear!

Summary

Crystallisation, as a powerful separation technology and production process, is helping the fertilizer industry diversify its product mix, improve profitability and enhance sustainability, as Sana Boulabiar and Matias Navarro, of Veolia Water Technologies North America, explain.

Abstract

As with most sectors of the economy, the agricultural value chain has been disrupted by the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. Adding to existing trade tensions, fertilizer producers have been hit by labour shortages, plant closures, logistics delays and bottle­necks. Keywords: Speciality, Specialty, Products, Monoammonium phosphate, (MAP), Water soluble, Fertilizers, Fertigation, Production, Technology, Crystallisation, Crystallization, Crystalliser, Crystallizer, Potassiumsulphate, SOP, Compass Minerals, Alkimia, Protassium+, Tunisia, Veolia, North America

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Prayon's first industrial DA-HF plant

Summary

The DA-HF phosphoric acid process has been successfully implemented at Grupa Azoty's Police fertilizer production plant in Poland, as part of a revamp of the site's existing DH plant. Sébastien Havelange and Alexandre Wavreille of Prayon Technologies outline the performance improvements achieved by this first-of-its-kind plant.

Abstract

The world faces ever growing environmental challenges, making the development of new industrial technologies increasingly essential. Keywords: Project, Profile,Expansion, Phosphoric acid, Technology,I nnovation, Process, Di-hydrate, Dihydrate, DH, Hemihydrate, Hemi-hydrate, HD, Attack, Filtration, DA-HF, Prayon, Technologies, Engis, Belgium, Grupa Azoty, Poland, Police, Revamp, Refurbishment, Conversion, Results, Performance, Advantages, Improvement

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