USDA awards Ostara grant to increase fertilizer production in the US
Published by Emily Thomas,
Deputy Editor
World Fertilizer,
The need for an alternative US produced high-efficiency phosphate fertilizer is critical for the future of agriculture. The USDA awarded Ostara US$7.6 million as part of a grant programme to increase US-based, innovative, sustainable, and farmer-focused fertilizer production.
“Phosphate is a finite resource and conventional phosphate fertilizers can be highly inefficient and harmful to the environment,” says Kerry Cebul, Chief Executive Officer of Ostara. “Our team is honoured to receive the USDA grant and will use the funds to increase US based production of the most efficient phosphate fertilizer on the market, Crystal Green.”
Ostara’s efficient and sustainable phosphate fertilizer, Crystal Green® (5-28-0 with 10%Mg), aligns with the goals of the USDA grant programme.
“Crystal Green checks every box of the USDA programme’s criteria and is the only granular phosphate fertilizer available on the market to deliver superior agronomic performance while protecting the environment,” Ron Restum, Chief Commercial Officer of Ostara. “The unique organic acid solubility of Crystal Green keeps nutrients where they are needed and available for maximised crop performance without nutrient loss due to soil tie-up, runoff and leaching. Expanding production will be very welcomed by the ag community.”
Funding from the USDA grant programme will support Ostara’s construction of a new fertilizer production facility in St. Louis. The new facility has the capacity to produce over 200 000 t of Crystal Green fertilizer. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023, in time for growers to apply Crystal Green this fall.
“Access to multiple channels of distribution in the form of barge, rail and interstate as well as world-class manufacturing talent, in the heart of some of the most productive agricultural land, makes St. Louis an ideal location for Ostara’s next phase as we significantly increase production to meet grower demand,” Cebul added.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/phosphates/16032023/usda-awards-ostara-grant-to-increase-fertilizer-production-in-the-us/
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