PSJC Uralkali (the Company), one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of potash, and JSC UCC Uralchem, one of the world’s largest companies in the market of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers from the Russian and CIS region, have celebrated Global Fertilizer Day. Both companies’ employees have joined a flash mob titled Smile for Zero Carbon Future as a way of celebrating the day and wishing all the best to colleagues in the International Fertilizer Association (IFA).

Uralkali and Uralchem employees took selfies in a special frame and sent their regards to colleagues all over the world by posting on social media under the following hashtags: #fertilizerDay, #uralkaliheroes and #uralchemheroes. Everyone also had the opportunity on this day to propose initiatives for sustainable development.

Global Fertilizer Day is celebrated on 13 October. It was on this day in 1908 that the patent for synthesizing ammonia from air was registered. This method had a significant effect on the development of agriculture across the world as it increased the effectiveness of global land use. All-round implementation of agricultural technologies has helped millions of people to overcome poverty and hunger, enabling our world to develop and prosper.

According to FAO and UN forecasts, global food consumption will increase by 70% by 2050, while farmable area will increase by a mere 10%. Therefore, agriculture must become even more effective.

In 2015, the UN General Assembly set 17 interrelated sustainable development goals as a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. These sustainable development goals are extremely important for the planet and humankind. IFA and its members consider these goals to be an essential tool to promote more sustainable fertilizer production.

In 2020, the Uralkali Board of Directors approved a 5-year ESG strategy. The Company demonstrated an impressive debut result according to the independent international ESG rating SAM S&P Global, having earned 52 points, which exceeds the average score in the chemical industry (36 points). The Company’s score is also better than that of 71% of chemical producers assessed in 2020.

In 2019, Uralkali earned the status of IFA Product Steward Excellence within the international IFA Protect and Sustain standard. The certificate confirms that the Company is excellent at managing all stages of production, transportation and sales of potash fertilizers, and is committed to the best practices of safe and environmentally friendly production. In 2020, Uralkali was named one of IFA champions and was awarded a gold medal for its stewardship excellence.

Uralchem has undertaken a voluntary obligation to contribute towards sustainable social development. In 2019, the Company’s branch — PMU — was recognized by IFA as the best among the producers of mineral fertilizers globally for its responsible production management. The factory earned an IFA SHE Excellence Gold Medal. Based on the findings of the IFA audit in 2020, the Company managed to improve its score and confirm its Stewardship Excellence. Since 2013, the Company has consistently improved the effectiveness of ammonia production. In addition, PMU is making every effort to reduce CO2 emissions: the Perm carbamide is much purer than its equivalents, due to the fact that its biuret content is much lower than normal. In view of this fact, the carbamide produced by PMU can be used to produce exhaust fume neutralizers for the diesel engines of heavy-duty vehicles and sea transport. In 2020, Yartsevo subdivision (part of JSC Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers) launched its own production of this chemical. Current production capacity is 1,800 tonnes per month with potential to increase output up to 2,500 tonnes.

In 2021, Azot branch took part in the Russian Quality program. The CX brand potassium nitrate produced at the branch is a valuable concentrated fertilizer containing potassium and nitrogen, and is recognized as a top-quality product. It has been used in commercial farming for more than 30 years and is considered to be an important supplement. In 2020, following a series of field tests, Pryanishnikov All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agricultural Chemistry found the use of this type of fertilizer to be extremely effective.

Since 2013, KCKK has been constantly improving the effectiveness of the ammonia and nitric acid production. The Company has implemented numerous investment projects designed to improve the quality of its products which win 100 Best Russian Products and Russian Quality awards every year. In 2020, the Concentrated Calcium Nitrate, the Anhydrous Calcium Nitrate and the NS 30-7 Nitrosulfate were awarded diplomas and certificates by the World Quality program. Participation in the World Quality program confirms that the quality of these products is in line with the world’s best analogues.

Uralkali (www.uralkali.com) is one of the world’s largest potash producers and exporters. The Company’s assets consist of 5 mines and 7 ore treatment plants in the towns of Berezniki and Solikamsk (Perm Region, Russia). Uralkali employs more than 12,000 people in the main production unit.

JSC Uralchem is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 3 million tonnes of ammonia, 3 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate and its derivatives, 1.2 million tonnes of urea and 1 million tonnes of phosphate and complex fertilizers per year. JSC Uralchem is the largest ammonium nitrate producer and one of the top in ammonia, urea and nitrogen fertilizers production in Russia. Key production assets of JSC Uralchem include Azot Branch of JSC Uralchem in Berezniki, Perm Region; JSC Mineral Fertilizers, Perm; KCKK branch of JSC URALCHEM in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov Region; JSC Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers in Voskresensk, Moscow Region.