ICL’s Value Chain

ICL conducts major mining operations at Israel’s Dead Sea – the lowest area of dry land in the world and among the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. Minerals extracted include potash, bromine, sodium, magnesia, magnesium chloride and metal magnesium.

ICL’s mining operations in the UK are located in the North York Moors National Park in northern England and are conducted both under land and under the North Sea. The Boulby mine’s 1,300m depth, makes it the deepest in Great Britain. As of June 2018, ICL Boulby primarily mines polyhalite, an organic fertilizer which ICL markets as Polysulphate™.

ICL currently operates two potash mines, in Suria and Sallent, both of which are located in the province of Barcelona and are approximately 530 to 900 meters below the surface.

ICL’s subsidiary, ICL Rotem, has been surface mining phosphate at Rotem and Zafir (Oron- Zin) in the Negev Desert for more than sixty years. ICL Rotem minimizes the impact of its mining activities through responsible planning that allows for continuous reclamation of depleted mine blocks alongside mining operations.

ICL operates a joint venture, YPH JV, with Yunnan Phosphate Chemicals Group which engages in phosphate open-pit mining in Haikou, China,  and which also holds a concession for mining in the Baitacun, China, mine.

Potash (potassium chloride) is one of three major nutrients required for plant growth. It is vital for the physiological processes of plant growth and improves the durability of the produce it fertilizes, helping agricultural products survive storage and transportation as well as prolong their shelf life. There are currently no artificial substitutes for potassium.

Phosphorus is derived from phosphate rock. Phosphate is one of three major nutrients required for plant growth. Phosphorus directly contributes to a wide range of physiological processes in a plant and accelerates the growth rate of crops. There are currently no artificial substitutes for Phosphorus.

Polysulphate™ is available in its natural state. It is mined, crushed, screened and bagged, and involves no chemical separation. It is an organic multi-nutrient fertilizer approved for organic use in multiple countries across the EU and in the USA. With low environmental impact, it is proven to be highly efficient in increasing crop yields.

Bromine is a member of the halogen family, and is known for its diverse uses in many industries. Bromine is rarer than about 75% of elements in the Earth’s crust and is found in seawater and in underground brine deposits. Due to its high concentration of salt, the Dead Sea is a major source of the world’s Bromine.

Magnesium is the eighth-most-abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Primary Magnesium metal is produced by ICL DSM using electrolytic processes to convert carnallite and dolomite. With a density that is 33% lower than aluminum and about 75% lower than steel, Magnesium is an ideal choice where weight reduction is important.
The main uses of pure Magnesium are as an alloying element for the production of Aluminum alloys and, in alloy form, to produce automotive components. Pure Magnesium also plays an important role as a reagent in the production of Zirconium, Titanium and Steel.

ICL Industrial Products specializes in Bromine-based products, Phosphorous-based products and Specialty Minerals. ICL’s global leadership in the Bromine industry is driven by its focus on delivering value to its customers rather than increasing volume. ICL is able to generate increased e value by leveraging its unique assets and know-how as well as fostering innovation through the development of new applications, such as new Bromine and phosphorus based flame retardants, magnesia and salt products, solutions for energy storage, urban mining and others. ICL continues to leverage its unique logistical advantages and unparalleled experience related to the safety and environmental aspects of its Bromine business.

ICL leverages its well-positioned and unique Potash assets, as well as its logistical advantages, to rank among the three most competitive suppliers in its key target markets, including the EU, Brazil, India, South-East Asia and China. ICL’s cost competitiveness is driven by its low logistics costs due to its facilities’ proximity to ports and customers, as well as by ICL’s continuous optimization of its Potash production methods at ICL Dead Sea and ICL Iberia, thereby reducing costs and efficiently utilizing its capacity potential. At ICL UK, the Company has shifted towards the exclusive production of Polysulphate, being the first and sole supplier of this new and unique fertilizer. ICL also continues to enhance its competitive position in Magnesium and to optimize synergies with its Potash operations at the Dead Sea.

ICL is a global leader in providing Phosphate-based solutions to the Industrial, Food and Agriculture end markets. ICL’s strategy is to continue to outgrow these markets by increasingly focusing on specialty Phosphate solutions, further promoting commercial excellence and value-based product positioning while enhancing customer relationships. Specifically, ICL will strengthen and develop its Food Phosphate offerings by expanding geographically and capturing White Phosphoric Acid (WPA) and Phosphate Salts growth opportunities in China. Leveraging its backward integration to the Phosphate resources of ICL Rotem in Israel and YPH in China, ICL will continue optimizing its upstream capabilities to support substantial growth and margin expansion of its specialty Phosphate products and solutions.

ICL is working to create global leadership in Innovative Ag solutions by leveraging its R&D capabilities to enhance its product pipeline and by promoting commercial excellence and a value-based product positioning. ICL also benefits from synergies resulting from its broad range of products, extending from commodity fertilizers, semi-specialty fertilizers and specialty fertilizers to Innovative Ag Solutions. To further boost growth, the division continues to expand its Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF)production capacity and seeks to engage in partnership opportunities to expand its technological portfolio and develop farmer-centric solutions based on digital innovation.

Our potash, phosphate fertilizers and technology-rich specialty fertilizers are critical inputs that help farmers worldwide to increase their yields and improve the quality of their crops.

ICL’s innovative fertilizers and advanced bio solutions for plant nutrient and protection, are used for golf courses, sports fields and landscapes. As well as for nursery stock, perennials and pot and bedding plants.

Guided by a thorough understanding of the unique needs of ICL’s customers and the challenges of the industry, ICL  delivers tailored formulations that optimize the texture and sensory experience of foods and beverages.

ICL manufactures high purity calcium phosphates for use as excipients and nutrient sources of Calcium and Phosphorus in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and over- the-counter (e.g. multivitamin or supplements) products. ICL provides solutions such as direct tableting, mineral fortification and flow conditioning.

Our industrial additives and materials such as flame retardants, phosphate salts and specialty phosphate blends, are used in thousands of products making them safer, more durable and longer-lasting.

Low-cost evaporation process at the Dead Sea with the highest mineral concentration globally. The only producer of Polysulphate™ worldwide.

ICL’s strategic locations provide a competitive logistic advantage through proximity to ports and customers.

ICL’s knowledge of chemistry, agronomy, synergy utilization and customer requirements accumulated over decades.

Access to Israel’s global leading high-tech and agri-tech eco-system which drives innovation.