Kuwaiti state-owned KPC has set its November sulphur price at $135/t fob, up by $11/t from October.
This implies a delivered price to China of $158-164/t cfr at current freight rates, which were assessed on 31 October at $23-25/t to south China and $27-29/t to Chinese river ports for a 30,000-35,000t shipment.
Houston, 20 November (Argus) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added seven Iowa water segments to its impaired US waters list, saying they are all polluted with nitrate, possibly stemming from nitrogen fertilizer runoff. The EPA added these seven water segments to the list of impaired waters on 12 November, determining each was laden with nitrate pollution. The EPA invoked water restoration plans in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This is in addition to the 712 water segments in Iowa that are already on the state's list of water segments that need a restoration plan under the Clean Water Act, according to the EPA. The largest contributor to nitrate pollution is manure and commercial fertilizer that runs off farm fields, according Pam Taylor, director of the Iowa Sierra Club Chapter. Nearly 85pc of land in Iowa is farmland, using nearly 149 lbs of nitrogen fertilizer per acre annually,the US Department of Agriculture said. The Iowa DNR initially submitted a list of water segments that need restoration attention on 9 May, which was only partially approved by the EPA. This triggered the agency to place these additional water segments on public notice until 12 December. Once that date has passed, the EPA can implement a restoration plan in partnership with the Iowa DNR. The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is in support of the EPA's decision. It alleged that the DNR purposefully used an incorrect method to determine nitrate pollution, which may have enabled the DNR to excuse certain water segments from the list of impaired bodies. Separately, a letter was also sent to the EPA on 16 April by several Iowa agencies requesting the EPA apply its emergency powers to address nitrate groundwater contamination in northeastern Iowa. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
London, 20 November (Argus) — The national confederation of cotton producers (CNPC-C) has issued a tender to purchase 32,000t of complex fertilizers, closing on 9 December. The CNPC-C requests 16,000t of 22-23-15+5S+1B and 16,000t of 15-20-15+5S+1B, both in 50kg bags, for delivery on an ex-works basis in Douala on or before 28 February. CNPC-C had opened offers against its 24 October tender to buy 45,000t of complex fertilizers and 12,000t of urea. But there were no valid offers for the 16,000t of 22-23-15+5S+1B it requested. It received five valid offers against its request for 29,000t of 14-23-14+5S+1B or 15-20-15+5S+1B, but is now seeking more competitive offers under the fresh tender. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Houston, 19 November (Argus) — US ammonium sulfate producers Interoceanic Corporation (IOC) and AdvanSix have increased prices for first-quarter deliveries. IOC increased its first-quarter offers by $20-35/st at all distribution points except for its Houston plant , which will remain at $345/st fob. The low end of the range offered was $335/st fob at Nola, while the high end was $405/st rail delivered for Northern Plains. AdvanSix increased amsul prices by $25/st for all locations for first-quarter delivery. The Hopewell, Virginia, value rose to $355/st fob. Upper Mississippi River warehouses increased to $385/st fob, while Ohio River and Granite City, Illinois, prices increased to $380/st fob. Inland warehouses and rail quotes will maintain traditional premiums over river locations, AdvanSix said. Amsul values continue to rise into the winter pre-pay season because of short domestic supply, driven by high input costs inflating market values. By Meghan Yoyotte IOC's Ammonium Sulfate Prices for 1Q $/st Location Value Nola Barge $335/st FOB Houston $345/st St Louis and Delta Terminals $380/st Upper Mississippi River Terminals $385/st Illinois River Terminals $385/st Ohio River Terminals $380/st FOB Sioux City/Omaha/Casselton, ND $405/st Rail Delivered Northern Plains $405/st — IOC AdvanSix's Amsul prices for 1Q $/st Location Value FOB Hopewell, VA $355/st Upper Mississippi River $385/st Ohio River/Granite City, IL $380/st — AdvanSix Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Sydney, 19 November (Argus) — Australian chemicals and fertilizer producer Incitec Pivot (IPL) has forecasted higher output from its Phosphate Hill mine over the next financial year in its annual report. IPL forecasts there will be 790,000-860,000t of DAP/MAP output from its Phosphate Hill site located in northeast Queensland, Australia, up from 739,500t of output in FY24 . IPL plans to conduct repairs and other work to increase site reliability over the next financial year. Owing to these planned outages, production at Phosphate Hill is expected to be lower in the first half of the financial year, with 40-45pc of total volumes expected during that time. IPL highlighted that Phosphate Hill's production is vulnerable to circumstances outside its control, such as equipment breakdowns, energy or water disruptions and severe weather events. IPL also mentioned its reliance on Glencore's nearby Mount Isa Mines copper smelter staying open. Sulphuric acid is a by-product of copper smelting. Should the smelter close, sulphuric acid supply in the region would fall and with it being a major raw material required to produce DAP/MAP, Phosphate Hill would be negatively impacted. This could also impact phosphate production at Agriflex's Ardmore phosphate project in Queensland. Glencore recently announced it expects the operation of the smelter to continue to 2030 pending capital approvals. IPL is continuing to work on alternative sources to mitigate the loss of sulphuric acid supply in case of Glencore's potential closure or reduced production. The annual report also said IPL continues to use a mix of gas supply sources, including gas supplied under a contract with Power and Water Corporation (PWC), and top-up gas from Northern Territory and east coast suppliers. The diversity of gas supply ensured Phosphate Hill production was not affected by the reduction of contracted gas supply from PWC. A further update on Phosphate Hill supply will be made mid-2025 and a "strategic review" of the site is expected to be completed no later than September 2025. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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