The
CARIBBEAN'S NORWEGIAN connection
Mineral fertilizer is one of the world’s great underappreciated innovations. In 1905, a group of Norwegian industrialists produced the world’s first nitrogen fertilizer in Notodeen, Norway. The world of agriculture took a giant leap forward. At a time when famine was ravaging Europe, the introduction of mineral fertilizer – with its capacity to dramatically increase farmers’ crop yields – potentially saved millions from hunger and improved the lives of many millions more in the century after. 112 years later, Yara is today one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers. It estimates that its crop nutrition solutions help to feed over 240 million people worldwide. It works with 20 million farmers across the world and has annual revenues of nearly US$14 million, hiring over 12,000 employees and delivering nearly 40 million tonnes of fertilizer. By any estimates, it has been a remarkable century for the firm which was born out of an innovative hydroelectric company. We took a look at the firm’s operations in Trinidad and Tobago, where the company operates 3 of its 16 plants.
From Norway to Trinidad
Similarities between Norway, a country located in Northern Europe with harsh freezing winters, and Trinidad and Tobago, a sun-soaked country of two islands located in the Caribbean, perhaps aren’t immediately obvious. However both are small, forward-looking nations which have punched above their weigh for a long time. In addition, both countries have sought to develop their economies through a combination of innovation and exports. In this regard, the two have a large set of common ground which could be built on if the right opportunity arose.
In 1991, perhaps cognizant of this common ground, the management of Norsk Hydro ASA, acquired a three-plant ammonia production facility located at Savonetta in central Trinidad. Today, two of the sites are run by Trinidad Nitrogen Co (Tringen) a successful joint venture between Yara and the government of Trinidad and Tobago, while the third is owned by Yara International, which operates the plan independently. Combined, all three o the sites employee 260 people – almos all of which are locals – and have annua production of 1.3 million metric tonnes 99% of which is exported, making Trinidad and Tobago the world’s leading exporte
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‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much
you care’
SDGs, Yara has added categories of its own. These include community relations and human rights. It places a particular focus on continuous improvement in four areas. These are responsible growth, environment, health and safety and its workforce. Almost all of Yara’s energy is consumed in ammonia production, which makes the Trinidad and Tobago sites into focus for anyone looking to sustainability. Yara International consumes 4.9% less than the industry average for ammonia production and its energy consumption in the area has been falling year-on-year since 2013. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Yara International developed a Sustainability Value Matrix, which it applies across all of its markets, including Trinidad and Tobago. The value matrix analyses what topics the company considers to be material to the company’s value creation and what topics are significant to society. The design of the matrix shows the company’s commitment to protect natural resources, food and the environment, as well as taking into account the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, in addition to several of the
In terms of community and social
36-52 Chan Ramlal Street, Chaguanas, Trinidad W.I. (500449) Website: www.drampersad.com Phone No.: 868-671-7267 Fax No.: 868-665-3593 (E-mail: engineering@drampersad.com)
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General Services/Products include:
Servicing of General Rotating Equipment. Machine Shop / Water Jet / HVOF Coatings. Valve Refurbishment. Fabrication (Structural/Piping). Field Services/Turnarounds. Construction/Contract Services. WTP / WWTP Upgrades / Refurbishments Leak Detection. Distributors for numerous international pumps, blowers & valve manufacturers. Cathodic Protection / Corrosion Management.
participation, Yara Trinidad also maintains a strong presence on the islands. It is one of the largest sponsors of school and college track and field events in Trinidad and Tobago, a regular sponsor of the AMCHAM Health, Environment, Safety and Security Conference which is held annually, and regularly participates in the West Indies World of Work Seminar.
Yara International ASA Visiting address: Drammensveien 131 0277 Oslo Norway Postal address: P.O. Box 343, Skøyen N-0213 Oslo Norway Tel: + 47 24 15 70 00 Fax: + 47 24 15 70 01 http://yara.com/
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