Join a line-up of expert speakers and innovators as they tackle the big questions facing the fertilizer markets in the Americas in the push for sustainability.
Fertilizer self-sufficiency and food security – Case studies of the US and Brazil as fertilizer as they both attempt to increase their food security and their fertilizer sustainability with different policy initiatives
Bankability – Understand how the sustainable fertilizer industry will be funded, and what types of public and private investment are on offer across the supply chain
AgTech insights – Learn about innovative new agricultural technology and remain on the cutting-edge of sustainability such as nutrient recovery and recycling, clean ammonia production, biostimulants, novel fertilizer products and more
New to the market? Need a refresher of market basics? Gain access to our online resources covering the basics of the fertilizer market before the conference so that you can make the most of your time during the event.
(Included in the Main Conference + Fertilizer Fast Track Pass)
How can food and beverage companies support the drive for agricultural sustainability?
Speakers include
- McCain Foods, Kellogg's Company
How are food and beverage companies working to support sustainable initiatives in fertilizer and agricultural businesses?
Research shows customers are willing to buy the sustainable option even if it costs more – but with inflation and the cost of living on the rise, are we seeing this in reality?
What are the main challenges in translating the need for sustainable practices by growers to the end customer?
Speakers include:
Jeremy Buchman, Senior Agronomy Manager, McCain Foods
Senior Sustainability Representative, Kellogg's Company
13:10
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13:40
Introduction to sustainable fertilizer technology
Understand the terminology and discussions around sustainable fertilizers in different regions.
Breakdown the meanings of buzzwords such as enhanced-efficiency, specialty, novel, low-carbon fertilizers and more.
Learn about the fundamental ‘4R’ concept and how this can aid in the sustainable and efficient use of fertilizers.
13:40
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14:10
ESG ratings and their role in securing investment and building a sustainable economy
What are the key ways in which the fertilizer industry is impacted by ESG?
ESG ratings are becoming increasingly important both to consumers and investors – how can ESG scores and rating agencies help drive the sustainable fertilizer markets forward?
How are ESG ratings calculated and classified, and should these be standardised across the industry? Who will monitor this?
14:10
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14:40
Developing microbiome-based additives: From the lab bench to successful upscale manufacturing and field application
Dr Walter Sandoval
- Chief Science Officer, MicroBios S.A.
Hear from MicroBios as a case study of a company focused on biological solutions to sustainable fertilizer management practices.
How can microbiome-based additives help reduce the amount of NPK required whilst increasing crop yields, and how beneficial is this to creating a sustainable fertilizer market?
What research has been undertaken into the economic and environmental benefits of reducing the use of mineral fertilizer?
Speaker:
Dr Walter Sandoval, Chief Science Officer, MicroBios S.A.
Coffee break
StartEnd
14:40
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15:25
Coffee break
Fertilizer self-sufficiency and food security: US and Brazil case studies
StartEnd
15:25
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16:10
The Brazil answer: Reduce dependency on imports
Speakers include
- Brazil Potash
Brazil is currently the 8th largest importer of fertilizers with low domestic production capacity. In March 2022, Brazil’s government announced its National Fertilizer Plan to reduce its dependency on imports from 85% of its demand to 45% by 2050. They estimate in the year 22/23 alone they will be able to reduce reliance by 20-30%.
What are the viable alternatives to large scale imports on N, P, and K?
How successful have the initiatives been so far – is Brazil on course for a 20-30% reduction this year?
What makes Brazil so suitable to the use of specialty fertilizers?
Speakers include:
Matt Simpson, CEO, Brazil Potash
16:10
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15:55
The US answer: Use policy and public investment to encourage domestic supply expansion
The US is taking a slightly different approach to ensuring their self-sufficiency. Boasting a robust domestic production capacity, the US is relying on boosting production of American-made fertilizers that are sustainable and innovative amongst other qualities.
How is the US scaling up domestic production and where are there alternative import sources?
Can the US emulate the success of Brazilian specialty fertilizer adoption? What factors need to be considered – crops, supply, pricing, land availability and more.
How successful has US policy – such as the $500m investment in American-made fertilizer announced by the USDA in 2022 – been at creating interest in sustainable fertilizer?
16:55
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17:00
Chairperson's closing remarks
Drinks reception
StartEnd
17:00
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19:00
Welcome drinks reception
Day Two
StartEnd
08:00
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09:00
Registration and breakfast
08:55
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09:00
Chairperson's opening remarks
Government as a driver of innovation
StartEnd
09:00
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09:30
How can government-backed studies promote the sustainable fertilizer industry?
There can be confusion over some sustainability claims and the performance of sustainable fertilizers – how can government-funded research help to dispel these and promote the industry?
What research is currently being undertaken by regulatory and government bodies such as the USDA and EPA into sustainable fertilizers?
How can government research and investment help drive the shift toward sustainable fertilizers and improve the relationship between agricultural research and fertilizer production?
09:30
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10:15
Fireside chat: Winners of public funding
Speakers include:
- Aqua-Yield, Verdesian Life Sciences, Fertinagro Biotech International
Learn about how effective public funding can be in scaling up a sustainable fertilizer business.
What are the results from the initial lab testing of these sustainable fertilizers?
What is the next stage of planning for land tests and how could this affect the US fertilizer market?
Dr Kuide Qin, Chief Science Officer, Verdesian Life Sciences
Dr Catherine Roue, Innovation & Sustainability Director North America, Fertinagro Biotech International
Coffee break
StartEnd
10:15
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11:00
Morning coffee break
The sustainable fertilizer market
StartEnd
11:00
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11:30
Understanding the bankability of sustainable fertilizer production
Speakers include
- London Forfaiting
What different types of public and private investment are available across the production and supply chain?
What qualities make fertilizer producers and grower’s bankable to private investors and public funding?
Where is the money to finance sustainable fertilizers coming from? Understand government grants, research competitions, institutional investments and more.
Speakers:
Gregory Bernardi, President, London Forfaiting (Americas)
11:30
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12:15
Argus insights
TBA
Lunch
StartEnd
12:15
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13:45
Lunch
Conference resumes
StartEnd
13:45
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14:15
An introduction to nutrient recycling and its role in a sustainable circular economy
Nutrient recycling involves recovering lost nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from waste and converting them into fertilizers again.
How does nutrient recovery help increase plant yields whilst helping to combat run-off and non-point source pollution?
How can nutrient recycling programmes contribute to a circular economy?
14:15
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14:45
Special products: Are they a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers?
Grace Chilande
- Fertilizer Demand Analyst, International Fertilizer Association (IFA)
What are the recent demand trends in the global consumption of controlled release (CRF), stabilized nitrogen (SNF), and water-soluble (WSF) fertilizers?
What are the key driving factors in the demand for SNF and WSFs given recent volatility in the fertilizer market?
What is the potential impact on the demand for special products and new technologies amid growing global pressures?
Coffee break
StartEnd
14:45
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15:30
Afternoon coffee break
The future of sustainable fertilizer management
StartEnd
15:30
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16:15
Producer focus: Renewable energy mixes, novel products and the future of fertilizer production
Speakers include
- Phospholutions Inc, Nitricity
Decarbonising nitrogen fertilizer is a big challenge for the industry – largely owing to the CO2 needed to produce urea that is then released on application.
What solutions are available to the fertilizer market? Learn about using nitrogen inhibitors, switching to nitrates, potential for ammonia and more.
What is the scalability and feasibility of these options? Is it possible, and affordable, to decarbonise nitrogen fertilizers?
Speakers:
Hunter Swisher, CEO & Founder, Phospholutions Inc
Cleiton de Sequeira, Director of Business Development, Nitricity
16:15
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16:45
Digitalisation of the fertilizer markets: The future of sustainable best management practices?
What are the driving forces behind technological innovations in the fertilizer markets? What challenges are yet to be overcome?
Precision agriculture, soil mapping, and the rising interest in digitalisation across the industry.
How can digitalisation and technology make sustainable fertilizer management easier?
Conference concludes
StartEnd
16:45
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16:50
Chairperson's closing remarks
16:50
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Conference concludes
Fertilizer Fast Track Resources (*for Fertilizer Fast Track pass holders)
StartEnd
Online Materials
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The role of fertilizers in agriculture
Mike Nash
- Senior Editor, Fertilizers, Argus
Liebig’s law of minimum and the key fertilizer macronutrients
The need for fertilizers to meet global food demand: balanced fertilization and 4R concepts