Annual Report 2008 English [PDF, 2.69 MB] - Tessenderlo Group

annual report 2008
Inorganics
In 2008, the Inorganics business unit was confronted with a historical increase in raw
material prices. However, these increases could be passed on to the market through
higher sales prices. Margins for agricultural products were finally restored after
several difficult years. Sales of potassium sulphate for fertilisers remained at the
level of 2007, while demand for animal feed phosphates fell in the second half of the
year.
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Activities and products
The Inorganics business unit operates in
a variety of different markets. Potassium
sulphate is a fertiliser that is extremely
suited for use in dry areas and for
highly sensitive crops such as flowers,
vegetables, fruit, and tobacco. Tessenderlo
Group invested mainly in potassium-based
specialities for modern agriculture.
Sulphur-based liquid fertilisers (including
ammonium, potassium, calcium and
magnesium thiosulphate) are used in
North America as fertilisers for cereal and
broad-acre crops, and for arboricultural
and vegetable cultivation. Other sulphur
derivatives are used for different industrial
applications including mining, water and
waste-water treatment and in a wide range
of chemical processes.
Mineral phosphates are used in the animal
feed industry. The range of phosphate
products is so diverse that Tessenderlo
Group is able to offer the required quality
for all kinds of feed applications. The
optimal digestibility of the animal feed
phosphates allows a perfect balance to be
struck between the development of the
animal and respect for the environment.
Trends and facts in 2008
Raw material prices continued to rise until
September. In some cases, prices were
300 % higher than in 2007. Tessenderlo
Group succeeded in passing these price
increases on to the market.