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Fertiliser News

AECI reorganises executive leadership team

By: Donna Slater 20th December 2023 Diversified group AECI reorganised the structure of its executive leadership team, on December 20, to be more aligned to a corporate business that will enable the delivery of its strategic ambition to double the profitability of its core mining and chemicals business by 2026. This is also in... →

New waste management system has multiple environmental benefits

By: Halima Frost 1st December 2023 Sustainable waste management solutions provider Asher Africa’s latest waste management system effectively decreases a client's waste output and offers an “almost emissions-free process”, contributing to a client's decarbonisation efforts. The Asher, introduced to the South African market in... →

The Asher machine installed at a client which incinerates waste in a more environment friendly manner

BREAKING IT DOWN The Asher uses lower operating temperatures to reduce waste to an ash more efficiently

TWK posts lower earnings amid global market pressures

By: Marleny Arnoldi 15th November 2023 Diversified agriculture and forestry company TWK Agri has posted lower earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of R620-million from continuing operations, marking a 7.1% year-on-year decrease for the financial year ended August 31. The group generated Ebitda of... →

IFC loans Morocco's OCP $106m to build two solar power plants

By: Reuters 11th October 2023 Morocco's State-owned phosphates and fertiliser producer OCP said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's investment arm, on a €100-million ($106-million) loan to build two solar plants to increase production of low-carbon... →

Kenya farm to host first on-site hydrogen-to-fertiliser plant, Iowa to follow

By: Bloomberg 11th October 2023 The world’s first modular green ammonia plant is starting up in Kenya and, the company behind the technology to make fertiliser, plans to deploy the facilities as far afield as Iowa, in the US. The plant, which was designed and will be run by US-based Talus Renewables, is sited near Naivasha just... →

ICH finalises fertiliser division sale to K+S Group

By: Cameron Mackay 4th July 2023 International company Industrial Commodities Holdings (ICH) has finalised the sale of the ICH fertiliser business to Fertiva, an entity which is now majority-owned by German fertiliser supplier K+S Group. The K+S Group will operate the acquired fertiliser business under the Fertiva name. →

ICH notes that its decision to sell the fertiliser business was not based on slowing demand, but rather on it changing its focus

Firm advances natural solution

By: Simone Liedtke 5th May 2023 Local manufacturer Pratley is using its research and development capabilities to advance the use of its Vulture Creek Clino product, a natural zeolite called Clinoptilolite. Zeolites are naturally occurring minerals that were deposited millions of years ago during volcanic activity. They are... →

NATURAL ZEOLITE Zeolites are naturally occurring minerals that can absorb positively charged cations

AfDB financing mechanism plan to improve fertiliser availability

By: Schalk Burger 13th April 2023 Development finance institution (DFI) the African Development Bank (AfDB) says the Africa Fertiliser Financing Mechanism (AFFM) Governing Council has committed to mobilising funds to implement the AFFM Strategic Plan 2022 - 2028 to support the increased availability and appropriate use of... →

Scope of commission's fresh produce market inquiry includes farming, retail sectors

By: Creamer Media Reporter 15th February 2023 The Competition Commission has published the final terms of reference for the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI), which is aimed at assessing whether there are any features in the fresh produce value chain that impede, restrict or distort competition in the market. The market inquiry will focus... →

Circular economy enables value-added by-products

By: Nadine Ramdass 20th January 2023 Nature-based solutions assist in creating a more circular economy and by-products from the treatment can create further value for the water treatment industry, says Rhodes University’s Institute for Environmental Biotechnology (EBRU) director Professor Keith Cowan. By-products can appeal to... →

An image of Rhodes University Institute for Environmental Biotechnology

NATURAL SOLUTIONS Nature-based solutions create by-products such as biogas and minerals

Unep calls for more meticulous pesticide, fertiliser management as global demand grows

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th December 2022 As global demand for and use of products such as pesticides and fertiliser increases, it is imperative that stakeholders minimise the adverse impacts of these products on human and environmental health, says the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep). In its ‘Environmental and Health Impacts... →

Water crisis poses greatest risk for Africa’s food, CEO of fertiliser company says

By: Bloomberg 6th December 2022 One of Africa’s largest producers of agriculture chemicals says erratic rains and water shortages pose the biggest risk to food security on the continent, more than Russia’s war on Ukraine or other supply-chain disruptions. Those water issues -- driven by climate change -- will see African... →

Omnia sees further growth in targeted sectors, interim earnings up 30%

By: Donna Slater 22nd November 2022 JSE-listed diversified chemicals producer Omnia grew its interim earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, excluding its Zimbabwean operations and impairments, by 30% year-on-year to R1.4-billion for the six months ended September 30. This resulted in the group’s adjusted... →

Three-millionth valve controller sold

11th November 2022 Last month, global designer and manufacturer Emerson announced that a customer in China has recently purchased the three-millionth Fisher FIELDVUE digital valve controller for use in the water treatment pressure control valve in a membrane plant. A digital valve controller helps regulate and... →

a Fisher FIELDVUE digital valve controller fitted to a valve system

CONTROL FREAK The three-millionth Fisher FIELDVUE digital valve controller has been sold by Emerson

Association revamps to improve services

By: Halima Frost 30th September 2022 The Southern African Biogas Industry Association (Sabia) will introduce its updated business plan and path to reach its 2030 goals at its ‘Vision 2030 – building a sustainable Southern African biogas market’ round table next month. Hosted by Sabia, it will include a discussion by representatives... →

A large domed biogas digester with a flute burning flare for heat at the plant

BURNING TOPIC The development of South Africa's biogas industry will be addressed at a round table discussion hosted by Sabia next month

Prototype waste-to-fuel pilot plant designed

By: Halima Frost 30th September 2022 In its drive to become a leading global supplier of green value from waste solutions, local waste solutions provider Explorius has designed its first coal fines and waste-to-fuel pilot plant for the manufacture of briquettes and pellets from waste generated during industrial processes. The pilot... →

Contamination at source affecting recycling

By: Halima Frost 30th September 2022 A substantial portion of plastic waste is not recycled and ends up in landfills, contributing greatly to plastics being regarded as the biggest environmental threat, says industry body Plastics SA executive director Anton Hanekom. Forty-three percent of recyclable plastic waste in South Africa... →

A group of Bricks baled together made out of cement and polystyrene which makes them more cost effective, lightweight and insulated

Plastics SA executive director Anton Hanekom discusses the circular economy and how plastic must maintain its position in it instead of in the environment

Circular economy uptake addressed

By: Halima Frost 30th September 2022 The need for and uptake of the circular economy mindset by larger organisations locally and globally was addressed during a webinar hosted by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) last month. The webinar, titled ESGS Webinar: Circular economy: Opportunities and Benefits,... →

A man wearing protective gloves holding a handful of shredded tires which have been broken down for recycling at the Unki Mine in Zaimbabwe owned by Anglo American Platinum

GETTING TIREDThe world does not have enough resources to cater to the growing population, forcing companies to take up the circular economy

Omnia’s Gobalsamy wins award

By: Darren Parker 12th August 2022 Diversified chemicals company Omnia Group CEO Seelan Gobalsamy has been announced as the winner of the CEO Today Africa Awards 2022. This is the second year in a row that Gobalsamy has received the accolade. The award, hosted by CEO Today Magazine, celebrates CEOs who excel in leadership and... →

Omnia Group CEO Seelan Gobalsamy

Tech yields beneficial tools for farms

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th August 2022 Software company Aerobotics is pioneering solutions, such as its Aeroview infield mobile application and computer vision for the precision farming of perennial crops, as more growers look to agricultural technology to solve labour and input efficiency challenges. Aerobotics global business... →

An image of a drone connected to the Aerobotics app on farm

DRONES' EYE VIEW Aerobotics' mobile application works with drones to gather information and imaging on crops

Innovative tech can change farming

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th August 2022 With there being a need to increase food production by 60% by 2050 in Europe, agricultural technology developers Farm21 partnership manager Dewald de Vos says precision farming tools, such as the solution offered by Farm21, help farmers to make informed decisions, based on real-time data. The... →

BENEATH THE SURFACE Precision farming tools assists farmers in making informed decisions based on real-time data

Small-scale farming collaborative gains momentum

By: Donna Slater 17th May 2022 The rethinking of food systems for South Africa needs to start with individual food producers on the ground and expand from there – as laid out in a project called “Towards recalibrating food systems during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic”, which started in October 2020. Funded by the World... →

Technology assists agriculture sector

By: Anna Moross 13th May 2022 Agriculture input prices have risen by about 100%, but using technology provides farmers with an opportunity to save on costs, such as fuel and downtime issues, says agricultural equipment manufacturer and distributor AGCO Africa field service manager Zack Janse van Rensburg. →

Ukraine war fuels food crisis in distant Africa

By: Reuters 11th May 2022 Zimbabwean security guard Edwin Dapi was already struggling to provide for his wife and four children before a conflict 11 000 km away in Ukraine sent global prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizer soaring. Now his monthly pay of 18 000 Zimbabwe dollars, worth roughly $55 at the... →

Local sanitation industry development funding, incentives needed

By: Tracy Hancock 29th April 2022 Industry development funding and incentives by government for local manufacturers at the forefront of next-generation sanitation products, such as NEWgenerator sanitation system manufacturer WEC Projects, will help achieve the scale needed to alleviate pressure on South Africa’s failing sewage... →

CATERING TO REMOTE COMMUNITIES The NEWgenerator sanitation system provides effective sewage treatment where infrastructure is lacking

Commodities to stay elevated on Ukraine war, World Bank says

By: Bloomberg 27th April 2022 Food and energy price surges worsened by the Ukraine war could last through the end of 2024 due to disruptions in trade and production, the World Bank Group said Tuesday. Increase in energy prices, which has reached the largest since the 1973 oil crisis, is expected to pass 50% in 2022 before... →

Bootlegger Coffee turning its food waste to compost that customers can buy

By: Schalk Burger 21st April 2022 South African coffeehouse Bootlegger Coffee has partnered with food waste management specialist company Ywaste to turn its waste into compost, using an eco-friendly method for the management of food waste through off-site composting. “Now our customers can up their eco-friendly street credibility... →

Bootlegger Coffee co-founder and director Pieter Bloem with Ywaste owner Emile Fourie

Agriculture continues to outperform nearly all other sectors of South Africa’s economy

By: Rebecca Campbell 1st April 2022 Over the past two years the agriculture sector has been one of the few very stars in the firmament of the South African economy. In 2020 and 2021, agriculture was one of only four sectors of the economy to register growth, the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) has pointed out. Last... →

Engineering News and Mining Weekly cover image

Competition Commission launches fresh produce market inquiry

By: Schalk Burger 28th March 2022 The Competition Commission has launched a public market inquiry into the fresh produce market to examine whether there are any features in its value chain which lessen, prevent or distort competitiveness. The terms of reference of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry were published in the Government... →

Nigerian billionaire Dangote launches $2.5-billion fertilizer plant as prices soar

By: Reuters 22nd March 2022 Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote opened a three-million-tonne fertiliser plant at a cost of $2.5-billion on Tuesday to target African and foreign markets even as the war in Ukraine has driven up prices for natural gas, a key ingredient for making urea. Dangote said exports from the plant will... →

Transport infrastructure key to African economic growth

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 Improved transport infrastructure in Africa would contribute significantly to unlocking the continent’s economic potential, says diversified chemicals group Omnia Holdings group CEO Seelan Gobalsamy. He says there is considerable agricultural potential in East Africa, which exports products... →

Biogas engines supplied to ethanol producer

15th October 2021 Multinational gas and diesel power plant specialist Clarke Energy has secured the sale of two of gas engine manufacturer Innio Jenbacher’s biogas engines to ethanol distiller PressCane Limited, based in Chikhwawa, Malawi. The ethanol production site generates biofuel in the form of ethanol, which... →

Company establishes green rare earth fluoride manufacturing plant based on Necsa intellectual property

By: Donna Slater 14th October 2021 Over the past two years, Pretoria-based rare earth (RE) minerals refinery Rare Earth Refiners (RER) has designed, built and commissioned a demonstration plant for the green production of RE fluorides using a R15-million grant from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). REs, and especially... →

An image of the rare earth fluoride production machine based on intellectual property developed by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation

The rare earth fluoride production machine based on intellectual property developed by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation

Solutions manage water scarcity challenges

By: Nadine Ramdass 7th May 2021 With the agriculture sector heavily relying on water to ensure that it can continue to function, more strategies have to be adopted and solutions applied to manage the effects of water-related challenges in the industry. “Water will need to be looked at differently, especially since agriculture... →

Chetan Mistry Water sustainability needs to be prioritised

Additives increase livestock health, farm profits

By: Nadine Ramdass 7th May 2021 Manufacturing and minerals producer Pratley’s clinoptilolite-based livestock feed additives, Clinomix and Clinoxin, can increase the health of livestock, resulting in increased cost savings and profit for farmers. Clinoptilolite is a type of zeolite, which, in turn, is a crystalline aluminium... →

ELDON KRUGER
Farmers are realising the additives benefits

Pratley marketing manager Eldon Kruger discusses its new feedstock additives.

Biogas holds great power generation potential

By: Halima Frost 19th March 2021 South Africa has the potential to generate upwards of 10 000 MW of power if it were to harness and capitalise on all biogas opportunities, however, the greatest challenge is not a lack of capacity but more the lack of market opportunity, says Southern African Biogas Industry Association (Sabia)... →

POWER-TENTIAL Biogas has the potential to contribute significantly to the power mix in South Africa and globally

Omnia intends to sell Oro Agri business

By: Marleny Arnoldi 19th October 2020 JSE-listed chemicals group Omnia Holdings has reached an agreement to sell its Oro Agri business to Rovensa – a European-based business that procures and distributes biocontrol, bionutrition and crop protection solutions. Omnia in June received a nonbinding offer for the business, which... →

Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy

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