Magazine: 496 May-Jun 2020

The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has abruptly ended lives and livelihoods during its pernicious and inexorable spread across the globe. The fertilizer industry has not been immune to its parlous effects.

Fertilizer International reached its 50th anniversary in 2019. The magazine’s continuing success is built on mutually beneficial partnerships forged over five decades. This year, we will continue to show our appreciation by profiling a much-valued commercial supporter in the magazine. This issue it’s the turn of the Lewis ® brand from Weir Minerals.

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.

Market Insight courtesy of Argus Media

A consortium of Chinese buyers has agreed the first potash contract with the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) since September 2018.

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.

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.

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.

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

Ben Pratt joined Mosaic’s senior leadership team at the start of April, having been appointed senior vice president (SVP) for government and public affairs. He was previously the company’s vice president for corporate public affairs, with responsibility for corporate communications, social responsibility and US federal government relations.