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AkzoNobel to expand micronutrients capacity in Sweden

Expansion will meet the demand for micronutrients, particularly in regions with poor soil conditions

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Last Updated : Jun 05 2017 | 5:23 PM IST

AkzoNobel is to invest more than € 10 million in Sweden to expand capacity for its chelated micronutrients, which are used as essential ingredients in the agricultural market. The project, at Kvarntorp, will help meet growing demand for micronutrients, particularly in regions with poor soil conditions. Due to be completed next year, the expansion will primarily add capacity for high performance iron chelates, in which AkzoNobel is market leader.

“High performance chelate demand is growing fast, and this expansion will ensure that we can meet our customers' requirements going forward. Analysts estimate a global micronutrient demand growth of over 5 percent per year, partly driven by population growth and the increasing global issue of water scarcity in many regions,” explained Wout Neleman, director of micronutrients at AkzoNobel.

High performance chelates deliver essential metals to plants, helping to increase agricultural productivity. This is increasingly important as rising world population reduces the amount of arable land for food production, necessitating the cultivation of poor soils. Application by fertigation - where plant nutrients are supplied in a liquid solution - is key in this segment.

AkzoNobel has partnerships with global fertiliser companies Yara and SQM for worldwide distribution of its chelated micronutrients, which are also produced in Herkenbosch, the Netherlands, and in Lima, Ohio (USA).