ICL CEO Launches New Era As Boulby Becomes World’s Only Polyhalite Producer

ICL President and Chief Executive Officer Raviv Zoller cuts the ribbon to mark start of production of the new fertiliser PotashpluS at ICL Boulby, the world’s only producer of polyhalite.

ICL, a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, has today marked the start of a new era for the Boulby mine in East Cleveland with its transition from potash production, which it has mined for over 40 years, to becoming the world’s only producer of the revolutionary multi-nutrient mineral polyhalite.

ICL President and Chief Executive Officer, Raviv Zoller, was at the mine to praise the efforts of all those involved in the transition and also to launch PotashpluS, one of a range of planned fertiliser products being developed by ICL, as part of the “FertilizerspluS” group of products, some of which are based on the advantages of the exclusive polyhalite resource produced in Boulby.

Speaking after seeing for himself the mining operation – and loading the first batch of PotashpluS to be processed—Mr. Zoller explained that there were a number of

planned products coming from ICL’s research and development pipeline, taking advantage of the company’s exclusive polyhalite resource.

He added, “I want to thank every single one of our ICL Boulby employees, as well as our extensive research and marketing teams, for helping us bring this exciting new product to the market”.

“This is just one more example of how we invest to grow our assets and to develop projects with a long-term, sustainable view. The Boulby Mine has been a part of the community here in East Cleveland since operations began in 1973 and we are committed to ensuring that it will play an important and supportive role to those communities for many years to come” – Mr. Zoller concluded.

PotashpluS is based on ICL’s Polysulphate, a unique mineral which offers four key nutrients crops need to grow, increasing yields and helping farmers become more productive. The fertiliser is an alternative source of potassium, which, in addition to its versatility, solubility and extended nutrient availability, positions it well to address both British farmers’ needs and to grow to become a high-value export product for the UK.

Loading the first batch of PotashpluS, using the mineral polyhalite mined at Boulby, the world’s only commercial producer of polyhalite.

The Boulby mine produced 450,000 tonnes of polyhalite last year and is the only commercial source of the mineral in the world. Polysulphate, and its associated items, is a flagship product for ICL and is currently sold in 22 countries on five continents. The company is strengthening its worldwide sales and marketing platform to increase sales of Polysulphate and to support the growth of this important global market.

ICL Boulby’s General Manager, Andrew Fulton, explained: “We’ve seen demand for Polysulphate grow exponentially in the last couple of years and expect sales to reach a million tonnes per year by 2020 and up to three million tonnes per year by 2030. We are confident that, with the combination of our deep understanding of the fertiliser market and our excellent teams, we are uniquely positioned to meet customers’ needs.”

Today’s launch was also welcomed by Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke who joined Mr Zoller in praising the achievement in making the transition to polyhalite.

Said Mr Clarke “The Boulby mine is a cornerstone of the East Cleveland economy and a strategic asset for the whole of the UK.  I am really pleased that its future as a producer of polyhalite is secure.  No transition of this magnitude is ever easy, but it is tribute to both the leadership of the business and its skilled and professional workforce that they have handled it with grit and a fierce determination to succeed.  I stand ready to do whatever I can to help ensure the mine benefits our area far into the future.”

Added Amanda Skelton, Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Council “The Council has worked closely with the team at Boulby during the recent transition from potash to polyhalite.  We wish the company every success in this exciting new venture.  Our priority is to secure good quality, well paid jobs for the people of East Cleveland and we welcome this new chapter in Boulby’s future.”

Notes to editors

About ICL

ICL is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company operating potash, bromine and phosphate mineral value chains in a unique, integrated business model. ICL extracts raw materials from well-positioned mineral assets and utilizes technology and industrial know-how to add value for customers in key agriculture and industrial markets worldwide.

ICL’s operations are divided into four business divisions: Potash; Phosphate Solutions (P2O5 Chain); Industrial Products (bromine value chain and complementary business); and Innovative Ag Solutions.

For further information please contact Peter Dodson, 07753 910536, email [email protected]