Boulby Celebrates a Year Of ‘Pure Poly’ Operation’

‘We could not have achieved the progress we have made in the past year without every one of you throwing your weight behind the huge task of making the changes needed to secure our future.’

That was the message to staff today (July 1st) from Andrew Fulton, the General Manager and Vice President of ICL Boulby, as the East Cleveland mine marked the first anniversary of it completing the transition which saw it become the world’s first and only producer of the ground-breaking mineral polyhalite, marketed as Polysulphate which contains four vital plant nutrients—sulphur, potassium, magnesium and calcium—and  has a far lower ‘carbon footprint’ than many other fertilisers

Mr Fulton highlighted the progress made in the past 12months, including moving towards its production target of 700,000 tonnes by the end of this year and, matching production to demand, reaching a million tonnes by the end of 2020 and 1.3million tonnes by 2023. He also announced that the company is about to relaunch its apprentices programme and, with health and safety as a top priority, it has now achieved the ISO 45001 International Standard.

In his anniversary message Mr Fulton paid tribute to support from Boulby’s ICL parent company and from the local community, including Member of Parliament Simon Clarke, Redcar and Cleveland Council and the North York Moors Park Authority.

He explained “The first anniversary of us completing the transition from potash to polyhalite production marks an achievement we can all be proud of because all of us have played a part and all have had to meet the challenges of learning new skills, adapting to new processes and new ideas.

“Thanks to backing from ICL, we have and will continue to be able to invest in significant improvements to our infrastructure—including upgrading conveyance and ventilation systems along with purchasing and installing new equipment both underground and within the processing area.

“Our parent company has also been central to exploiting the potential for developing poly-based products which form the key to the ICL FertilizerpluS range and providing its global marketing expertise which has seen Boulby Polysulphate not only supplying our local UK market and growing existing markets in China and South America, but moving into  new markets across five continents, including India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kenya, Poland and Romania.

“Every day, of course, brings new challenges and it is through teamwork that we have been able to meet them, enabling us to innovate and improve at every point, but I am confident that, by continuing the commitment, enthusiasm and teamwork we have demonstrated since we made the move to ‘pure Poly’ we can all feel proud to work for ICL Boulby.”

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NOTE FOR EDITORS: For further information please contact Peter Dodson, 07753-910536, email [email protected], or Ken Ryalls; 07711-749172, email [email protected].