16th November 2022
It is announced that Brineflow and HELM have entered into a strategic joint venture to ensure that the United Kingdom maintains security of supply for nitrogen fertilisers at a time of international uncertainty in global nutrition and food markets.
Brineflow operates from modern fertiliser terminals in Great Yarmouth and Sunderland. It is currently commissioning one of Europe’s largest deep-water liquid fertiliser terminals at the Port of Sunderland capable of receiving some of the largest ocean-going tanker vessels.
Helm is based in Hamburg and is a primary producer of fertiliser with extensive liquid nitrogen [UAN] manufacturing capabilities in Trinidad and the ability to ship large vessels to the British market from an area unconstrained by European gas shortages.
The joint venture brings together two family owned companies whose shareholders have traded with each other for nearly forty years. The combination of HELM’s strategic production capability and Brineflow’s ability to conveniently address 90% of the UK’s arable production areas represents a significant and important piece of UK Supply Chain infrastructure for fertilisers which are the lifeblood of the entire food chain.
Left to Right, Stephen Frost, Ian Ferris, Tim Gaetgens, Olivier Saulnier, John Fuller at Sunderland
Brineflow Chairman John Fuller OBE says “This joint venture will allow our existing team to work with the whole of UK agriculture to provide security of supply for fertilisers at a moment where many traditional European sources have been impacted by the Ukrainian War and tightness in Energy markets. The market for liquid fertilisers has been growing fast as farmers appreciate the significant productivity and operational efficiencies they bring.
“Together we will combine the shipment of large vessels from deep-ocean producers with the flexibility to supply smaller vessels from the near continent and Baltic trades. The partnership will play a large part in ensuring British farmers remain competitive and productive contributing towards national food security.
Helm’s VP Crop Nutrition Business Development Tim Gaegens said. “The deal with Brineflow in Great Britain allows us to match our manufacturing strength with brand new terminals with the capacity to meet the structural increase in demand for liquid nitrogen fertilisers in the most environmentally compliant manner with the lowest total emissions.
“Brineflow’s Nitrasol fertiliser ranges offers growers a complete range of product options and a reduction in total emissions of about a fifth compared to other sources.