Editorial comment

As the UK has the hottest start to May since records began, and temperatures soared to a little above 29°C in London, it is easy to think that brighter days are ahead – and in a literal sense yes, they are, with the days getting longer as we sail towards the summer solstice on June 21st. However, this is not a reflection of the trajectory that we are on in regards to the future of our planet. It seems that we are rapidly approaching crunch time when it comes to protecting our planet’s future, and as the fertilizer industry is responsible for 5% of the world’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the industry is quickly beginning to address what can be done to contribute towards a more sustainable future.¹

As Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 99^th birthday this May, he spreads the “greatest message he’s ever told” in his new film, ‘Ocean’, noting that we are “almost out of time” to reverse the damage that we have done to the planet. The film places emphasis on the changing of the world’s oceans throughout Attenborough’s life, demonstrating the crossroads that we currently sit at in regards to rising sea levels as a result of global warming.²

Throughout his life, Attenborough has drawn great attention to the necessity of living in harmony with nature, and the notion that if you look after the world, the world will look after you. Protecting the pillars of life is integral to survival, however, one of these pillars – food security – is under great threat. Crop failure, heat stress, extreme weather events, rising food prices, soil degradation, and much more, are all being exacerbated by climate change.³ As such, the sustainable production and use of fertilizer is more important than ever.

However, it is not all doom and gloom – changes are undoubtedly being made. There are great swathes of companies within the fertilizer industry that are joining the fight against global warming. The COP29 agreement places significant emphasis on the importance of sustainable fertilizer and agriculture practices.⁴ Anglo American has recently published a report on how the fertilizer industry can make changes to feed the world sustainably by 2050.⁵ CASALE SA has recently signed an EPC contract for the world’s first large scale green fertilizer plant. thyssekrupp Uhde is supporting sustainable ammonia production with Brunei Fertilizer Industries. Jord International has partnered with Orica to reduce particle emissions at its ammonium nitrate plant, improving air quality. Steps are being taken and awareness is growing, and long may these positive changes continue.

This issue of World Fertilizer Magazine features an insightful keynote article from Argus Media on recent sulfur and sulfuric acid market developments, with reference to the fertilizer industry. As well as this, there are key features on the topics of plant reliability and asset integrity, phosphate technology, heat transfer technology, process analyser technology, and much more.

Emilie Grant
Editorial Assistant

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Editorial comment

Emilie GrantEditorial Assistant

Emilie Grant
Editorial Assistant