Ammonia innovation discussed

Ammonia producers from around the world visited Karratha last week to share their ideas for best practice in the industry.

Yara Pilbara hosted this year’s ANZ Ammonia Producers Meeting from October 3-5, welcoming to the region about 40 representatives from companies in Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Spain, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, India and the US.

The event is held each year for producers to discuss strategies for improving efficiency, safety and sustainability within the industry.

Yara Pilbara ammonia production manager Marc Habermehl said this was the second time the meeting had come to the Pilbara in its 12-year history, with the first having been hosted by Burrup Fertilisers.

“Yara Pilbara’s ammonia production plant is a major facility, producing 6 per cent of supply into the world ammonia market,” he said. “The opportunity for our national and international visitors to see the plant up close was very valuable to them, and the feedback was very positive.”

The industry meeting included a site tour of Yara Pilbara’s facilities on the Burrup Peninsula and presentations on the latest industry developments at the ibis Styles Hotel.

Ammonia is the second-most produced chemical in the world and has a variety of uses, including in refrigeration, cleaning products and manufacturing fertilisers, pharmaceuticals and even explosives.