Producing quality fertilizers begins with reliable, low-cost supply of raw materials. Agrium’s facilities are strategically located near these raw materials, enhancing our ability to serve customers efficiently and cost-effectively.

Natural Gas is the primary raw material used to manufacture nitrogen fertilizers. Natural gas consumption at our plants is approximately 190 million GJ/year - equivalent to the consumption of over 1.1 million homes in a Western Canadian climate.

A variety of hedging tools helps us manage our exposure to fluctuating gas prices.

Phosphate rock is the main raw material used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers. Agrium owns and operates two mines that, combined, ship 2 million tonnes of ore to the Redwater plant 

in Alberta and the Conda plant in Idaho. Phosphate rock from the Kapuskasing mine in Ontario is processed at the Redwater plant while ore from Rasmussen Ridge mine in Idaho is processed at the Conda plant.

Elemental sulphur is necessary for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid is a product in itself, and is used in the production of phosphate fertilizers at the Redwater and Conda plants, and ammonium sulphate at Redwater.

Both operations are able to purchase elemental sulphur at competitive prices from sources that are relatively close the plants. Together, the two plants annually purchase 500,000 tonnes of sulphur.

Sulphuric acid is produced by burning elemental sulphur in air and absorbing the gas produced in water. It is produced at our Redwater and Conda plants.

In addition to the sulphuric acid produced by Agrium, more than 300,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid is purchased from suppliers.