A new first of its kind $25 million dollar fertilizer coating plant has opened in St. Thomas.
Sollio Agriculture partnered with Pursell, an Alabama-based leading fertilizer technology manufacturer, to open CRF Agritech. The nearly 26,000 square foot facility is the only plant in Canada able to manufacture controlled-release custom fertilizer formulations.
“The new coating plant in St. Thomas is in line with Sollio Agriculture’s efforts to promote sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of farming activities and innovate with alternative products, while maintaining the goal of ensuring the prosperity of Canadian farmers," said Casper Kaastra, the CEO of Sollio Agriculture.
He added that St. Thomas was the perfect location for the plant as it will reduce freight expenses for farmers in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States.
The controlled-release fertilizer that will be produced at the St. Thomas facility has a special coating with the ability to add micronutrients and biostimulants. It provides gradual nutrient release in the soil that is timed according to individual crop needs, which can lead to higher yields. The coating also reduced the amount of fertilizer needed by up to 30 per cent compared to traditional products, according to the International Fertilizer Association.
"This strategic partnership between Pursell and the Sollio Agriculture network allows us to expand the potential market for this technology and support nutrient management initiatives associated with the use of fertilizer products. PurYield is an exciting addition to our portfolio, providing substantial benefit to farmers across the region,” said Kaastra.
Once the facility is operating at full capacity it will manufacture more than 100,000 tonnes of coated fertilizer annually. It will also have the ability to produce other coated fertilizer for uses other than agriculture.
CRF Agritech received a $154,000 grant from the province to speed up production and farmers’ adoption of this new fertilizer technology. Ontario Agriculture Minister Lisa Thompson was among the dignitaries who toured the new plant on Monday.
While additional scientific testing is underway, initial studies by researchers at Sollio Agriculture and McGill University have found the use of coated fertilizer has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent.