Fertilizer industry “deeply touched” by Beirut explosion
(Posted on 10/08/20)
Last week’s explosions at the port of Beirut have deeply touched the world’s fertilizer industry. The extremely powerful second blast resulted in at least 158 deaths, 6,000 injuries, and US$10–15 billion in property damage, and made an estimated 300,000 people homeless. The blast has been linked to about 2,750 tonnes (3,030 short tons; 2,710 long tons) of ammonium nitrate – equivalent to around 1.2 kt of TNT. Many have been angered that such a large quantity of potentially explosive material was stored inside a warehouse without any safety measures for more than six years, so close to the centre of the city.
The Lebanese government has not named the source of the ammonium nitrate, but the same amount of the chemical arrived in Beirut in November 2013 on the MV Rhosus, a Moldovan-flagged cargo ship.
Fertilizers Europe, which represents the interests of the majority of mineral fertilizer manufacturers in the European Union released the following statement:
“The European fertilizer industry is deeply touched by the tragic events in Beirut.
While little is known at this stage, media reports indicate that ammonium nitrate have been part of the explosion.
Safety is a top priority for us and our partners in the fertilizer industry. Fertilizers of all types
are safe when handled correctly. Through certification programmes and regular trainings,
Fertilizers Europe continuously strive to ensure fertilizer products are produced, transported
and stored safely and securely across Europe.
From media reports, we gather that the authorities of Lebanon continue to investigate the cause and look forward to the outcome of those efforts.”
Latest News
EU Commission’s distortive subsidies efforts acknowledged
(Posted on 06/05/21)The European fertilizer industry has acknowledged the Commission’s proposal to add a new instrument... Read more
ASI certifies Rio Tinto’s Iceland smelter
(Posted on 04/05/21)Rio Tinto's ISAL smelter in Iceland has been certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)... Read more
GPA welcomes stronger biosecurity measures
(Posted on 04/05/21)Australia’s peak national grain grower advocacy group has welcomed the Australian Government&rsquo... Read more
US grain shippers partner with railroads on food safety
(Posted on 29/04/21)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA, and a coalition of agricultural shippers including the... Read more
Rusal commissions new open pit bauxite mine
(Posted on 26/04/21)Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, has begun mining at a new open pit quarry at the Vezhayu... Read more
Cargill reveals new canola facility plans
(Posted on 26/04/21)Cargill has announced plans to break ground on a new canola processing facility in Regina, Saskatchewan... Read more
Rusal acquires Aluminium Rheinfelden
(Posted on 20/04/21)Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, has announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition... Read more
High grades for Sorghum in USGC report
(Posted on 15/04/21)The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has published its 2020/2021 Sorghum Quality Report and for the second... Read more
$8.4bn tax contribution by Rio Tinto
(Posted on 11/04/21)Rio Tinto has released its 2020 Taxes paid. The company’s economic contribution report, which... Read more
En+ director joins Aluminium Stewardship Initiative board
(Posted on 06/04/21)En+ Group, the world’s leading producer of low-carbon aluminium and independent hydropower, has... Read more
