

(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.”
Highly-specialised global steel company, SSAB has announced a significant investment of approximately... Read more
Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament... Read more
The International Trade Commission in the USA has voted in favour of imposing final anti-dumping (AD... Read more
As of April 25, 2025, farmers in all regions of Ukraine have sown 2M hectares (ha) of spring grain and... Read more
GrainCorp’s rail site at Condobolin, in the heart of central west New South Wales, Australia,... Read more
Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M), an energy transition solutions provider, have... Read more
BHP has released its Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2025.BHP Chief Executive... Read more
The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions... Read more
In a strategic move to empower UAE exporters and advance the nation’s economic diversification... Read more
Anglo American plc has noted the recent statement issued by Peabody Energy in relation to the definitive... Read more