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Argus Fertilizer Europe welcomes you to Lisbon!

Summary

We profile leading European NPK fertilizer producers. Major ownership changes have taken place within the EU during the last three years. Europe's NPK producers have also needed to adjust their raw material sourcing in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Abstract

The term ‘NPK’ is a catch-all phrase given to any fertilizer containing the primary crop nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Keywords: Europe, Fertilizers, Industry, Producers, NPK, Yara, ICL, Grupa, Azoty, Fertiberia, Agrofert, Borealis, Yilfert, Rosier, Norway, Porsgrunn, Spain, Huelva, Belgium, Moustier, Portugal, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Germany, Ludwigshafen, Poland, Police

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Nitrogen technology showcase

Summary

Ballestra, Nitricity, Solex Thermal Science and Stamicarbon showcase their state-of-the-art equipment and technologies.

Abstract

Stamicarbon is the nitrogen technology licensor of Maire Group. The company’s latest process technology, the Launch Melt™ Ultra-Low Energy design, is proving a success with customers in East Asia and elsewhere. 
 Keywords: Production, Technology, Nitrogen, Process, Methylene, Urea, Formaldehyde, UF, Me-urea, Ultra-low, Energy, Efficiency, Heat, Integration, Recovery, Heat pipe heat exchangers, Moving bed heat exchangers, MBHEs, Granulation, Plasma reactor, Green, Fertilizers, Cooling, Ballestra, Nitricity, Solex Thermal Science, Econotherm, Stamicarbon

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Unlocking the full value of crop residues

Summary

Crop residues are the plant materials that are left in the field after the harvested portion is removed. Many growers are increasingly valuing these materials due to their nutrient content and soil health benefits. Dr Karl Wyant, Nutrien's Director of Agronomy, highlights the value of crop residues and discusses how to manage these more effectively without interfering with on-farm activities. Ag retailers, in particular, are well-placed to advise growers on how to unlock value from their residues.

Abstract

Growers are increasingly adopting practices (e.g., no tillage, reduced tillage, cover cropping, etc.) that allow residues to accumulate on the field. Although beneficial to crops and soils, this can negatively impact other key operations due to extra costs, slow spring warm up at planting, and by interfering with farm equipment. 
 Keywords: Nutrien, Crop, Nutrition, Residues, Nutrient, Management, Recovery, Microbes, Enzymes, Nitrogen, Maize, Soybean, Wheat

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Coating agents and equipment

Summary

The quality of finished fertilizers can be maintained during transport, handling and storage by protecting the surfaces of granules and prills with coating agents. Valuably, fertilizer coatings can also be used to control the release of nutrients in the field.

Abstract

Founded in 1992 by a team of experienced fertilizer additive engineers, Holland Novochem markets a long-established range of high-quality anti-caking, moisture repellents and de-dusting agents. Over the last three decades, this independent company has grown to become Europe’s leading in-depth provider of coating agents to the fertilizer industry. 
 Keywords: Fertilizers, Coatings, Additives, Reagents, Holland Novochem, Vegetable oils, Sustainable, FEECO, Anti-caking, De-dusting, Moisture repellent, Controlled release, CRFs, Coating drums, Nutrient use efficiency, NUE, Urea, Granules

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Container transport and bulk shipping – the best of both worlds!

Summary

Intermodal Solutions Group (ISG) is introducing a container-based storage, transport and ship loading system for bulk fertilizers. The company's innovative Pit to Ship Solutions™ system could transform fertilizer logistics and help the sector meet its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals.

Abstract

For more than a decade, the environmentally-friendly storage, transport and ship loading system from Intermodal Solutions Group (ISG) has set a new benchmark in mining industry logistics via container ports. For the first time, the company’s innovative Pit to Ship Solutions™ system can now be used for fertilizer logistics too.
 Keywords: Intermodal Solutions Group, ISG, Container, Containerisation, Logistics, Ship loading, Rail, River, Sea, Transport, Shipping, Storage, Bulk, Fertilisers, Urea, Bolivia, Bulo Bulo,

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Fertilizer blending boosts ag productivity

Summary

Ag Growth International (AGI) is a leading manufacturer of fertilizer blending systems. Robert Fitzpatrick, AGI's product segment manager, highlights the latest innovations in fertilizer blending equipment and explains how these contribute to operational efficiency and agricultural productivity.

Abstract

Today, the agriculture industry is facing rising food demand at a time when the acreage of cropland remains inelastic. To meet this challenge, the need to maximise crop yields per acre has never been more important. This is true in mature and established agricultural economies. It is also becoming more and more critical to the success of newer crop growing and food producing regions. Keywords: Fertilizers, NPK, Handling, Blending, Precision, Declining weight, Systems, Equipment, Automation, AGI, Ag Growth International, Operational efficiency, Agricultural productivity

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Integrated and efficient phosphate production

Summary

Leading companies such as Ballestra, Buss ChemTech, Elessent Clean Technologies (MECS) and Prayon Technologies are working together to solve the numerous production challenges facing the operators of integrated phosphate fertilizer production plants.

Abstract

Cost reduction and revenue generation have become increasingly important imperatives in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers. Greater resource efficiency has also risen up the industry’s agenda with the emergence of the circular economy and policies on waste prevention. This has seen plant operators turn to production methods that are able to consume low-grade phosphate rock and/or generate pure and saleable gypsum as a by-product. Keywords: Phosphate, Process, Technology, Design, Engineering, Fertilizers, Production, Plant, Complex, Efficiency, Energy, Phosphoric acid, Sulphuric acid, Phosphogypsum, PG, Waste, By products, Fluoride, Recovery, Reuse, Ballestra, Buss ChemTech, Elessent, MECS, Prayon

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Low-chloride options and market drivers

Summary

Applications of chloride-containing fertilizers need to be carefully managed for crops such as berries, broad beans, citrus fruits, nuts, potatoes and stone fruits. Selecting chloride-free nutrient sources instead can offer distinct advantages.

Abstract

Potassium chloride (KCl, muriate of potash, MOP) has a number of well-known natural advantages as a fertilizer. It is widely available, relatively low-cost and readily soluble in water. Equally importantly, it has the highest potassium content (60-62% K2O) of any of the mineral forms of potash. Keywords: Low, Chloride, Crops, Nutrition, Sensitivity, Toxicity, Fertilizers, Products, Market, Demand, Crops, Potash, Potassium, MOP, Sulphate, SOP, Nitrate, NOP, Polyhalite, Salinity, Irrigation, Tessenderlo, SoluPotasse

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Fertilization management – SOP versus MOP

Summary

Many crops are sensitive to chloride due to a genetic susceptibility. Similarly, crops can become stressed when soil salinity reaches high levels, a situation that typically occurs in water scarce regions. So, when is low-chloride crop nutrition needed? Dr Heike Thiel of K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH provides some answers.

Abstract

Although some crops are chloride-tolerant, many others – notably potato and other fruit and vegetables – are only partly tolerant or chloride-sensitive. Farmers will therefore require low-chloride fertilizer sources, or fertilizers with no chloride content, in certain situations if they are to grow and harvest the best quality and highest yielding crops. This is especially true under saline growing conditions when water availability is low. Keywords: Low, Chloride, Crops, Nutrition, Fertilization, K+S, Sensitivity, Potassium, MOP, Sulphate, Sulphur, SOP, Soil, Salinity, KALISOP, Korn-Kali

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Low-chloride fertilizers – a proven strategy for chloride sensitivity

Summary

The use of low-chloride fertilizers is a proven strategy for managing chloride sensitivity in crops and avoiding excess chloride in soils. ICL offers a wide range of crop nutrient products for this purpose. Patricia Imas, agronomist at the company, outlines the main options.

Abstract

Chloride (Cl) has been classed as an essential plant nutrient since the 1950s. It plays a valuable role in osmoregulation of the whole plant, photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and enzyme function. Chloride is also involved in stomata regulation, opening and closing guard cells on leaf surfaces. Keywords: ICL, Low, Chloride, Crops, Nutrition, Products, Water soluble, Controlled release, Fertilizers, WSFs, CRFs, Agroblen, Agromaster, Solinure, Nova PeaK, Agroleaf, Nutrivant, Polysulphate, Foliar, Fertigation

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