Israel’s fertilizer industry advancements
Modern high-efficiency industrial developments in the reinstated nation of Israel are a testament to providence. Perhaps the most significant recent development regarding industry in Israel is Haifa Group’s blue ammonia production plant in Mishor Rotem, completed in 2025 and soon to be operational, and contracted to use Israeli natural gas as the raw material [1]. It features blue ammonia technology [2], meaning ammonia produced using blue hydrogen from the steam methane reforming process integrated with carbon capture and storage [3]. The captured carbon will be utilized for CO2-based products [4]. Natural gas is used directly to produce ammonia for nitrogenous fertilizers [5], as nitrogen is one of the three essential plant nutrients, along with potassium and phosphorous. The production plant is meant to supply the ammonia needs for the entire industry in Israel [1].
History
In the early years of the reinstated nation of Israel, large quantities of fertilizers were essential for Israel’s expanding agriculture [6]. Haifa Group (formerly Haifa Chemicals Ltd.) was founded in 1966 [7] based on a discovery of how to produce potassium nitrate with Israel’s limited natural resources [4], specifically, by reacting potassium chloride and nitric acid [8]. In 1968, the fist Haifa Chemicals Ltd. factory was built for producing potassium nitrate in this way [9]. Until that time, potassium nitrate was principally for industrial uses because of its high cost [9]. In 1994 a new potassium nitrate factory was built in Mishor Rotem [4].
Sustainability
Because of the agronomic and climactic challenges in Israel and as the industry has become more sustainability-minded, emphasis has been on improving fertilizer and irrigation efficiency [7]. An important factor in this regard is having an appropriate ratio of nitrogen and potassium, achievable with potassium nitrate -based formulations. In the production of potassium nitrate, 0.8 metric ton (Mt) of potash is used to produce 1 Mt of potassium nitrate [10]. Potassium chloride (potash) is sourced from Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL Group) Dead Sea Works (see Israel’s Dead Sea potash resource). Ammonia is used to produce nitric acid by direct oxidation [5]. Haifa Group has a nitric acid production plant in Mosher Rotem with three production units [11]. With operation of the blue ammonia facility, the ammonia, nitric acid, and potassium nitrate can all be produced in Mishor Rotem. About 70% of the ammonia produced is to be used directly by Haifa Group [12]. Potassium nitrate is used domestically in Israel [8], and exported around the world [13].
Not by might, nor by power…
It is human nature to attribute achievements in Israel to a company or contingency of individuals. Zechariah 4:6 says “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord”. The word for “might” here has the idea of collective abilities, and therefore is translated as army in other verses to imply totality of abilities. In other words, it’s not by human ability, regardless of how much it may seem, and its’s not by human strength, comprehensively ruling out anything achievable by man, but ultimately by providence. That principle is the only way that the reinstatement, sustainability, and modern advancements of Israel can be explained.
References
[1] Haifa Group. 2024, Sept. 24. News: Haifa Group and Leviathon Partners Sign Long-Term Natural Gas Supply Agreement.
[2] Haifa Group. 2024, May 08. News: New Railroad Cargo Terminal in Haifa Negev Makes an Impact.
[3] The Royal Society. 2020. Ammonia: zero-carbon fertiliser, fuel and energy storage – Policy Briefing.
[4] Haifa Group. 2024. Corporate Responsibility ESG Report 2022-2023.
[5] Pellegrino, J. L. 2000. Energy and Environmental Profile of the Chemicals Industry.
[6] Israel, 1954. Israel Office of Information.
[7] Novik, L. 2024, Dec. 08. The Future of Agriculture: “Green and Precise”. Jerusalem Post.
[8] Tarchitzky, J. and H. Magen. 1997. Potassium status in soils and crops, recommendations and present use in Israel. Pages 78-93.
In: Food security in the WANA region, the essential need for balanced fertilization. A. E. Johnston (ed.)
[9] Manor, S., M. Bar-Guri, A. Alexandron, and M. Kreisel, Inventors; Haifa Chemicals Ltd., assignee. 1981. Process for the Manufacture of Potassium Nitrate.
U. S. Patent 4378342.
[10] Yager, T. R. 2013. The Mineral Industry of Israel. In: Area reports–International–Africa and the Middle East: U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook 2011 Volume III.
[11] Jörß. W., S. Ludig, and L. Schneider. 2023. Mitigation potentials for emissions of nitrous oxide from chemical industry in industrialised countries world-wide.
Institute for Applied Ecology.
[12] Quantum Commodity Intelligence. 2024, June 04. Haifa Group prepares for Israel’s first domestic ammonia output.
[13] Semiat, R. and E. Frangenberg. 2015. Israel’s Chemicals Industry: From the Desert to the Dead Sea. Chemical Engineering Progress 111(10): 36-42.
Josh Bowditch is an aspirer of stewardship in the Biblical sense. This includes ascertaining the truth and writing concisely about topics of interest.
