SOP Brochure English - Tessenderlo Group

A complete SOP rangeEnvironmental concerns and the need for more efficientfertilizer application mean growers demand the ability to applyan exact and uniform dose of fertilizer, whenever the cropdemands it. To make this possible, Tessenderlo Group offerscustomers four main SOP grades. Each contains a minimumof 50% K 2 O (42% K).SoluPotasse ® soluble SOPHigh purity and full solubility in water make SoluPotasse ®‘the’ soluble SOP for fertigation, foliar application and NPKsoluble mixes. SoluPotasse ® has become a leading fertilizerfor these applications and it is distributed in more than 60countries, mainly in 25 kg bags and/or 1 ton big bags.GranuPotasse ® granulated SOPGranuPotasse ® is ideal for bulk blending as well as directapplication. The granules are compacted to extreme hardnessso they can be handled and mixed without damage. Screeningduring manufacture and immediately before shippingguarantees a uniform granule size and density (size guidenumber: 300 or median size: 3mm). To facilitate use,GranuPotasse ® is also treated to be dust free.GranuPotasse ® is highly suitable for blending with other fertilizers,such as Ammonium Nitrate, Urea, DAP and TSP, providing theend-user with a balanced fertilizer for each crop and soil type.Standard and low-chloride SOPStandard and low-chloride grades are ideal as raw material formanufacturing high quality compound fertilizers targeted atfruit and vegetables. They can also be used as straight fertilizersfor direct application.High quality productionWith an annual production capacity of nearly 1.000.000 Mt,Tessenderlo Group can supply a full range of SOP fertilizersanywhere in the world.The group has manufactured SOP at Ham and Tessenderloin Belgium since the 1930’s. The Ham plant is the world’slargest single plant for SOP production via the Mannheimprocess and the Tessenderlo plant is the second largest.The Mannheim process brings potassium chloride andsulphuric acid together to create SOP. This synthetic productionof SOP brings certain advantages:● quality can be carefully controlled so customers receiveproduct of a consistently high standard.● the process can be adjusted to produce different gradesof SOP to meet the exact requirements of customers.To ensure that Tessenderlo Group markets the highestquality products, we closely monitor our raw materials,the production process and product transport and shipping.Each of our plants has its own quality control laboratory.Reliable logisticsOrganisation of flexible, co-ordinated logistics is an importantpart of Tessenderlo Group’s service to customers.Our plants are strategically located close to Antwerp, oneof Europe’s leading ports, and are also served by extensiveroad, rail and canal networks. These assets enable thegroup to deliver SOP efficiently around the world.The Ham plant has its own direct access to the Albert Canalwhere 3000 Mt barges and 1500 Mt coastal vessels areloaded for either transhipment to sea-going vessels or directdelivery.The Port of Antwerp is Europe’s most important containerhub and enables fast, competitive shipment of baggedGranuPotasse ® and SoluPotasse ® to ports throughoutthe world.Innovative R&DTessenderlo Group has its own research facilities dedicatedto upgrading its existing SOP product range and developingnew products.To further strengthen our customer support, the group’sagronomists supply technical and agronomic information,based on extensive field trials conducted in partnership withthe “Pôle d’Aspach” research centre in France. “Pôle d’Aspach”,located in the Alsace region, is one of the very few researchcentres specialising in fertilizer usage and crop nutrition.Efficient SOP production Competitive shipment Extensive field trialsThe Group is also a memberof SOPIB - the Sulphate ofPotash Information Board,whose aim is to develop andpromote the agronomic andeconomic benefits of SOPthrough science, researchand information.