1 Million Tonne Milestone of Polysulphate Production

Increasing demand for ICL Polysulphate has resulted in the company achieving the remarkable milestone of producing and processing one million tonnes of the naturally-occurring multi-nutrient fertiliser in 2023.

Mined from under the North Sea at Boulby, North Yorkshire, Polysulphate is becoming increasingly popular with growers looking to produce food in a more sustainable way and with a lower carbon footprint, says ICL UK general manager Grahame Wallace.

“The attainment of producing one million tonnes of Polysulphate within a single year is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our exceptional team at ICL UK and underlines our commitment to driving this exciting product forward for the benefit of growers and consumers alike.

“Achieving the new level of output needed to meet the rising demand for Polysulphate globally is a major feat in itself, but it is the fact that we done this whilst adhering to the highest standards of environmental responsibility and operational efficiency that makes it even more significant.

“This level of production is a real testament not only to the leading edge processes and practices developed and implemented at Boulby, but also to everybody involved in the company across all areas of operation.

“It is a major achievement and one that motivates us to achieve further sustainable growth and development whilst playing an increasingly important role in the sustainability of global agricultural practices and the wider food supply chain, now and into the future.”

Major productivity and environmental benefits

According to ICL Growing Solutions Business Lead Howard Clark, Polysulphate has the lowest carbon footprint of any equivalent fertiliser and has been proven in trials across the world to deliver significant productivity and environmental benefits.

“Applications of Polysulphate deliver a prolonged release of key nutrients, including sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium, at critical times of the growing season to encourage healthy crop growth and ensure applied nitrogen is used by plants as efficiently as possible.

“This not only means crops are getting the precise amounts of the nutrition they need, exactly when they need it, it also reduces potential loss of nutrients from the soil and into the air or groundwater, where they can cause environmental issues.

“These benefits, combined with the fact that Polysulphate’s production and processing requires a fraction of the energy that manufactured fertilisers do, mean it is a product perfectly matched to the needs of today, which is why demand is growing at such a rate.”

Setting future standards

Grahame Wallace adds that meeting such future demand will put increased emphasis on ICL’s technical, production and management prowess.

“We have a genuine commitment to pushing boundaries and setting new industry benchmarks and are confident our focus on sustainability, technological advancement, and industry leadership will keep us at the forefront of this exciting and important sector.

“We will continue lead the way in Polysulphate production for growers in the UK and across the world while prioritising the highest standards of sustainability and environmental stewardship in everything we do.”