JCAM to shift Quake-hit nitrate-fertilizer production to Fuji Plant

JCAM Agri decided to terminate its Onahama plant’s production of nitrate fertilizers by the end of the year and consolidate their production at its Fuji plant, whose output will be increased to maintain stable supply. The production of low-release fertilizers will continue, and affected employees will be reassigned within the group.

The March earthquake inflicted heavy damage on the Onahama plant in Fukushima Prefecture. The company managed to reinstate its 60,000-t/y factility for slow-release fertilizers in April but resolved to abandon the restoration of its 50,000-t/y facility for nitrate fertilizers because the nitric-acid-decomposition unit that made nitric acid solution, the facility’s feedstock, was too greatly damaged.

With the option of replacing equipment found to be unfeasible because of the considerable cost, a proposal was put forward to transfer the production to the Fuji plant. A raw-material switch to phosphoric acid solution will be completed at this plant in November, when its output capacity will be expanded. It is expected to be able to cover the Onahama plant’s production and keep the total production unchanged.