Talking SOP September 2012 [PDF, 673.84 Kb] - Tessenderlo Group

Sulphate of Potash news from Tessenderlo Group September 2012
Tessenderlo Group’s Inorganics
Business Unit welcomes Sophie
Haan as its new director
At the beginning of April 2012, Sophie Haan took over as the director of the
Inorganics Business Unit, which comprises the company’s potassium sulphate
fertilizer and feed phosphates businesses.
In a recent interview Sophie
Haan gave us a brief summary
of her career to date, along with
a overview of the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead for
Business Unit Inorganics.
Can you give us an overview
of your career prior to joining
Tessenderlo Group?
I graduated with an MBA in
Business Management from the
Said Business School at the
University of Oxford. I started
my career in various supply
chain roles, first with Dupont
de Nemours and later with
Accenture.
I joined Tessenderlo Group at the beginning of
2009 as Sustainability Project Manager and later
took up the position of Global Marketing Manager
for the group’s Gelatin Business. In this role I was
responsible for global marketing strategy and
business development, as well as innovation.
Of course I was delighted to
accept the position of Business
Unit Director Inorganics earlier
this year and am looking forward
to shaping the business in line
with the group’s future strategic
direction.
How is the economic crisis
in Europe affecting the
group’s SOP business?
As a result of the crisis, the trade
sector remained cautious in its
stocking-up of fertilizers at the
beginning of 2012. In addition,
adverse weather conditions in
many countries led to a delay
in the spring season in Europe.
For example, deliveries of potash fertilizers in
France were down 25% in 2011/12 compared to
the previous season according to UNIFA data.
Inevitably this has had an impact on the first half
performance of the business. In contrast, the
market in Latin America has been much more
buoyant and our SOP sales in this region have
increased significantly during the first half of 2012
compared to the same period in 2011. This is also
true for our sales into sub-Saharan Africa.
What are the current challenges faced by the
SOP business?
The ongoing economic crisis in Europe, along
with various political issues in North Africa and
the Middle East continue to challenge our SOP
business. Our main objective at present remains
the growth of our premium grade products.
For our SoluPotasse ® water soluble SOP, this
means continuing to invest in order to ensure that
our product remains of the best quality and the
market leader. On top of this, we are now putting
a lot of effort into developing our new foliar grade
SOP, which is being marketed as K-Leaf.
In this issue
Groundnuts: a highly nutritious
crop with a variety of uses p2,3
Inorganics Customer Services
Team moves to new offices p4
K-Leaf TM promoted
to Russian farmers
Tessenderlo Group was present in the village of
Palyonka in the Lipetsk region of Russia in July
to participate in the 4 th International Agrofestival,
organized and sponsored by Agroprom MDT.
In partnership with Agroprom MDT, the group has
been conducting trials of its new K-Leaf foliar
grade of SOP with a
variety of broad-acre
crops such as sugar
beet, potatoes, oilseed
rape and soya. Results
from the last two
seasons have shown
that including foliar
sprays of K-Leaf in a
treatment programme
has a positive effect on
both yield and quality.
Visitors to the exhibition were able to view this
season’s trials with K-Leaf and question the
Tessenderlo Group team on the benefits of
the new product and also find out more about
SoluPotasse ® , the group’s water-soluble fertilizer
for use in fertigation.
(cont. page 4)
K-Leaf TM SoluPotasse ® GranuPotasse ® Standard SOP

Groundnuts:
a highly
nutritious
crop with
a variety
of uses
Groundnuts, or peanuts as they are
often called, serve two major purposes.
About half the world’s production is
industrially processed for oil; the other
half is for direct consumption providing
a valuable source of protein, fat and
minerals. Many third world countries are
among the top 10 groundnut producers
and it is clear that the crop generates a
valuable cash income for many poor
farmers in the developing world,
especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and
Asia. Since groundnuts are often grown
in arid conditions, their fertilization
requires special attention.
Main groundnut cropping and
production areas
Country Production Area
(1,000 tons) (1,000 ha)
China 16.000 4.650
India 5.500 5.300
United States 1.649 444
Nigeria 1.550 1.245
Burma 1.300 850
Indonesia 1.250 750
Argentina 1.050 325
Sudan 850 1.000
Senegal 700 1.000
Others 5.606 5.353
Source: USDA
The groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is in fact a
leguminous crop forming part of the “bean” family
(Fabaceae). The oldest specimens, discovered in
Peru, are 7,600 years old, however it is believed
that the first groundnuts were cultivated in Bolivia,
Paraguay or Brazil.
Later, the crop spread throughout Mesoamerica
and its Spanish conquerors brought the first
groundnuts to Europe. European traders then
introduced them into Asia and Africa. Finally,
African slaves brought the crop to Northern
America in the 1700s.
Groundnut growth and harvesting
Groundnut seeds are lodged just a few
centimetres below the soil’s surface and the
young plants usually emerge within a few weeks
of planting. Flowering starts 30 to 40 days later.
After self-pollination of the flowers, the stalk below
the fertilized plant ovary elongates and curves
downward towards the soil while the flowers
wither. Later the stalk tip enlarges and pod and
seed development begin. The nut then matures
over the next 9 to 10 weeks. The pods ripen 120
to 150 days after the seeds are planted.
Groundnut harvesting generally takes place
when the foliage begins to yellow. The plants are
separated from the roots and are allowed to dry
for several days, enabling the nuts to lose slightly
less than a third of their original moisture content.
After the nuts have dried sufficiently they are
threshed, removing the pods from the rest of the
bush. If the crop is harvested too early, the pods
will be unripe. If they are harvested late, the pods
will snap off at the stalk and will remain in the soil.
Groundnut cropping
Groundnuts should be grown in rotation with
cereals such as maize or sorghum, which have
been well fertilized, because they respond better
to fertilizer applied to the previous crop rather
than to the groundnuts themselves. Little nitrogen
fertilization is normally required since atmospheric
nitrogen is fixed in the root nodules.
Basal applications of fertilizers are broadcast prior
to planting. Depending on soil tests, recommended
application rates vary from 10-30 kg N/ha, 40-90
kg P 2
O 5
/ha and 40-90 kg K 2
O/ha. Additionally, 250
kg CaO/ha is often applied at bloom to prevent
the formation of empty shells.
K-Leaf TM SoluPotasse ® GranuPotasse ® Standard SOP

A loose sandy soil with good drainage and a pH
ranging from 5.3 to 6.5 is preferred.
Potassium - a vital element
Potassium is a key element for the plant’s
metabolism. It contributes to the development of
proteins, enzymes and vitamins as well as to plant
photosynthesis. Furthermore, potassium plays an
essential role in transport systems within the plant
and it improves water use efficiency. It is therefore
necessary to ensure adequate potassium
availability in the field through soil testing. If soil
testing reveals there is little potassium available,
there will be a need to apply additional potassium
fertilizer. In light soils it is recommended that
potassium is applied in two split doses to minimize
loss due to leaching in heavy rainfall conditions.
(DAP), and organic pesticides containing very little
sulphur, as well as the low presence of sulphur in
the soil in regions where groundnuts are produced.
Sulphur deficiency is characterized by stunted
growth and young leaves are small and yellowishgreen.
Nodulation and pod formation is restricted
and maturity of the seeds is delayed. In cases of
severe deficiency, the leaves become papery.
SOP for higher yield and improved quality
Sufficient potassium fertilization may improve the
number of pods per plant, but also their size and
pod filling, as shown in the graph below from a
trial in China.
Fig. 1: Effect of K fertilization on pod size
and number
Fig. 2: Effect of K fertilization on oil yield
and content
Pod weight
No. pods
Yield
Content
Potassium deficiency in a groundnut plant
Lack of potassium causes stunted plants with
small branches and reduced vigour. The leaves of
potassium-deficient plants do not grow normally
and appear irregular in shape. In mature leaves a
yellowish-green color can be observed, spreading
from the leaf apex along the leaf margins to the
middle of the leaf, while the areas around the vein
remain normal. In severe cases, the leaves appear
dry and scorched at the edges and the leaf
surface is irregularly chlorotic. Symptoms usually
appear within five weeks of planting. Because
of leaching, potassium deficiency is particularly
prevalent in light soils.
Source: Northern China, 1995
Additionally, groundnuts are known to be a
chloride sensitive crop. Since excessive chloride
may impede growth and decrease yield, use
of potassium chloride (MOP) as a potassium
source is best avoided. Potasium sulphate (SOP)
provides the plant with sulphur, thereby improving
both yield and quality.
Further experiments in China on sandy soil with
low sulphur content for example indicate a 8%
higher yield when SOP is used compared to
MOP. Trials conducted in Egypt in 1999 indicate
that SOP not only improves yield, but also the
oil content of the pods is higher. As illustrated in
Fig. 2, application of 180 kg K 2
O/ha increases
groundnut oil content by 9%.
Source: Egypt, 1999
Cost-effective improvement: foliar SOP
application
Recent studies demonstrate the benefits of foliar
application of SOP in groundnut production.
K-Leaf, Tessenderlo Group’s new, rapidly
dissolving SOP, has been designed especially for
foliar application. Foliar application of K-Leaf
not only cures or prevents potassium and sulphur
deficiency efficiently, but can also enhance
potassium uptake by the plant roots.
Fig 3. Effect of SOP foliar application
on yield
Mt/ha
Sulphur deficiency in a groundnut plant
NP NPK 100%
soil
Source: ARC Egypt, 2011
NPK 50% soil
+ 2 foliar app.
Sulphur also plays an important role in the
metabolism of groundnut plants. It is essential
for the synthesis of proteins, plays a key role in
chlorophyll formation and assists in biological
oxidation-reduction processes. In recent years,
sulphur deficiency in groundnut production has
become an issue due to the use of high quality
fertilizers, such as di-ammonium phosphate
Additionally, efficient absorption of both potassium
and sulphur through the plant’s foliage improves
yield. Interestingly, trials in Egypt demonstrate that
higher yields can be achieved by combining half
the usual dose of SOP applied to the soil with two
foliar applications, compared to a full dose soil
application.
K-Leaf TM SoluPotasse ® GranuPotasse ® Standard SOP

Inorganics Business
Unit Director Sophie
Haan (cont.)
How does the fertilizer business fit in with the
group’s chosen strategic direction?
Global mega trends like a growing world population
and a continued increase in wealth and consumption
lead to a rising demand for food, but agricultural
land is not increasing. Tessenderlo Group’s chosen
strategy is to focus on those businesses that
provide solutions to such challenges. The company
has a portfolio of innovative products that can
improve crop yields and quality, while contributing
to sustainable agriculture.
Water availability is also increasingly an issue
globally and in many countries there is competition
for water between agricultural and human
consumption. Farmers are being forced to use
water more efficiently and SoluPotasse® is widely
used throughout the world in drip irrigation systems
to provide cost-effective, water-efficient fertilization.
Inorganics Customer Services
Team moves to new offices at Ham
The Supply Chain Team, which includes the
Customer Services, moved into the new offices
in July, from where they will have much closer
contact with the production teams already on
the site at Ham.
The Customer Services Team for the Inorganics
Business Unit is led by Heidi Castro and is
CSR contact Telephone Region/business Sales manager(s)
Evy Soentjens +32 13 611921 Australia, New Zealand Ben Brems
Canada
Denis Clement
Tolling
Roger Le Long
Asia (except India) Denis Clement/Ben Brems
Algeria
Roger Le Long
Morocco & Tunisia François Berhocoirigoin
Katrien Bylemans +32 13 611918 Tolling Roger Le Long
Middle East
Roger Le Long/Denis Clement
India, Rest of Africa Denis Clement/Ben Brems
Trade of calcium nitrate Frank Ruyseveldt/Piotr Sykut
Leentje Cardinaels +32 13 611919 South America Denis Clement
Cyprus, Turkey, Greece Roger Le Long/Denis Clément
Annick Sannen +32 13 611915 Spain, Portugal Juan Lorente
Liquid fertilizers
Ben Brems
Mexico
Denis Clement
Bjorn Borgers +32 13 611920 France (export) François Berhocoirigoin
Brazil
Denis Clement
East-Europe (sea shipment) Denis Clement/Piotr Sykut
Peggy Verboven +32 13 611916 UK Ben Brems/Roger Le Long
Petula Latet +32 13 611917 Italy Lodovica Boggian
Els Stuyck +32 13 611914 France François Berhocoirigoin/Christophe Luittre
Linda Van Balen +32 13 611911 Belgium Ben Brems/Roger Le Long
Jacques Jepps +32 13 611910 East-Europe (truck), Roger Le Long/Ben Brems/Piotr Sykut
Germany, Holland, Austria
Switzerland, Finland, François Berhocoirigoin
Denmark
In a continuing effort to bring the various departments of the Inorganics Business Unit
closer together, Tessenderlo Group has invested in a new building on the group’s
production site at Ham, the principal unit for SOP and phosphate production.
made up of Customer Service Representatives
(CSRs) who handle the complete end-to-end
order process, from customer order intake
through to shipment and invoicing. The CSRs
remain at your disposal to handle order intakes,
transport booking and call-offs, invoicing and all
order-related questions.
During the move the opportunity was taken to
re-examine the responsibilities of each CSR,
which are now shown in the table opposite.
When placing orders and communicating with
the Team, clients should continue to ensure that
all correspondence is sent by e-mail, fax or post
to the following centralised coordinates:
e-mail: inorganics.sales@tessenderlo.com
Fax: +32 2 6473692 (Spain: +34 91 4148628)
Post: Tessenderlo Chemie N.V.
Department OTC (Inorganics)
32 Bergstraat, B-3945, Ham, Belgium.
The Supply Chain Team has also made some
changes to the procedure for handling complaints
in order to ensure that problems are addressed
quickly and efficiently. The first change becomes
effective immediately and concerns the rerouting
of all communication to one generic mailbox:
complaints@tessenderlo com.
In the event of a claim or complaint, customers
should communicate directly with this mailbox.
All communication regarding existing claims or
complaints should mention the corresponding
reference in the subject title of the e-mail.
Supply Chain Manager, Joris Diddens, states
“The move now brings all the Supply Chain
departments into one building close to our
principal production facilities. It shortens the
communication lines and brings the Team closer
to colleagues in production, improving the level
of service we can offer our customers.”
More information on Tessenderlo Group’s activities can be found at:
www.tessenderlogroup.com
Tessenderlo Group Fertilizers
giving nature a helping hand
www.sopib.com
Tessenderlo Group
Troonstraat, Rue du Trône 130 B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 639 1858 Fax: + 32 2 639 1713
www.tessenderlogroup.com
fertilizers@tessenderlo.com
SoluPotasse ® and GranuPotasse® are registered trademarks of Tessenderlo Chemie NV/SA.
K-Leaf TM is a trademark of Tessenderlo Chemie NV/SA.