AgroPages-Haifa Opens a CRF Manufacturing Facility in Georgia of USA-Agricultural news

−− Haifa to add 20,000 MTPA to its Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) production capacity- A significant step in Haifa's multiyear global organic growth plan.

May. 9, 2016

Haifa Group recently commissioned a new state-of-the-art Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) plant in Savannah, Georgia, USA. The new production facility is expected to produce 20,000 MTPA of Haifa’s Multicote™ and CoteN™ CRF.

Based on Haifa’s proprietary polymer coating technology, the new CRF facility significantly increases the Group’s fertilizer coating capacity, and enables it to effectively serve the North American market. It brings both enhanced production capabilities and the supply chain closer to its business partners. The new facility reflects an investment of over $10 Million, and has the potential to create 20 jobs in the Savannah market. The design and location of the new plant facilitates also offers a future option to increase the production capacity by 50%, to meet growing customer demand.

"Our decision to construct a CRF production facility in Savannah, Georgia is part of our global strategy, aiming to meet a rapidly growing demand for Haifa’s advanced Multicote™ controlled release fertilizers, and to better service our customers in the turf, horticulture and agriculture industries,” said Mr. Nadav Shachar, CEO Haifa Group. "We are proud to be the only multinational CRF producer with production facilities located in three continents. This significant step reassures the confidence in our long-term growth plans, aiming to expand both presence and offerings to growers worldwide.”

Mr. Marc Lebl, CEO Haifa North America, Inc. commented: “The new CRF plant in Savannah, Georgia is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the North American market. Our business partners and customers will enjoy an even more reliable and fast supply of Haifa's top quality controlled release fertilizers, and we will have a more expanded ability to customize products to meet the specific needs of our North American customers.”

The new plant is made up of three buildings totaling 100,000 square feet. The facility has been purpose built and designed to facilitate Haifa’s unique and proprietary manufacturing process. The facility houses a fully integrated laboratory to maintain the highest real-time quality control, in line with Haifa’s stringent global standards.

The Savannah plant will be supplying North American customers with Haifa’s Controlled Release Fertilizer products. This is accomplished by encapsulating the granules in a polymeric coating using Haifa’s Multicote™ technology. The patented technology optimizes nutrition in a single application, minimizes fertilizer loses by leaching, eliminates contamination of ground water and removes the dependency on irrigation.