IPF president Scott Bowman with IPF Portland site manager Therese Walton at the opening of IPF’s upgraded Portland facility. Photo: IPF

INCITEC Pivot Fertilisers has unveiled its newly upgraded fertiliser import and distribution facility at Portland in regional Victoria, following a $20-million investment in the site.

As the largest supplier of fertilisers on Australia’s east coast, IPF’s investment in its Portland facility is expected to enhance the company’s operational efficiency and storage capacity, delivering benefits for growers.

IPF president Scott Bowman officially opened the facility yesterday, joined by growers, IPF customers, and agricultural industry stakeholders.

“The upgraded facility can now blend up to 300 tonnes of fertiliser per hour, increasing output and ensuring customers across Victoria and South Australia receive product promptly,” Mr Bowman said.

“It will not only enhance supply to the local and domestic market, but ensure customers have access to customised formulations that provide exact nutrients needed for maximum yield and more environmentally sustainable outcomes.

“As part of IPF’s commitment to helping drive increased productivity and sustainability for farmers, Portland has now been equipped with more efficient technology.

“This will enable the application of coatings to produce Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers such as Green Urea NV and eNpower, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 percent in some scenarios.

“IPF’s investment in the Portland facility is part of our strategy to deliver productivity benefits for growers through innovation and provision of high-quality products.

“It also demonstrates IPF’s dedication to rural and regional Australia.”

Staff at IPF’s Portland facility listen to opening addresses from management. Photo: IPF

The Portland site was first commissioned as a fertiliser manufacturing plant in 1968 by Cresco Fertilisers.

In 1972, Cresco Fertilisers in Victoria was sold to Pivot.

The site now dispatches over 200,000t of fertiliser per annum, with future growth expected in line with forecast increase in Australian crop production.

Source: Incitec Pivot Fertilisers