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FEATURE TIGER-SUL
New Tiger-Sul production facilities
to meet Global Sulphur deficit
As the world’s largest producer of bentonite
sulphur, and bentonite sulphur micronutrient
fertilizers, Tiger-Sul is expanding its production
facilities to address the growing global sulphur
deficit and the need for sulphur for optimum
crop growth.
Sulphur (S) is vital for life. It is one of the
major essential nutrients required by plants in
addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. Agricultural crops require S in
amounts similar to phosphorus to sustain
growth, quality characteristics and yield.
The demand for sulphur is increasing due to
high intensity agricultural practices, recognition
of sulphur deficiencies as well as the reduction
of sulphur from atmospheric deposition (sulphur
dioxide emissions). The Sulphur Institute has
estimated globally that the current sulphur
deficit is 9.6 million tonnes annually, and by
2013 the sulphur shortfall will increase to 11.9
million tonnes. In order to offset this deficit, the
application of supplemental sulphur fertilizers
are required for agricultural production.
The formation of bentonite sulphur as a soil
amendment and plant nutrient sulphur began in
Calgary, Canada in the early 1980’s when Tiger
Resources (now Tiger-Sul Products) brought
in several Rotoform units and modified them to
produce bentonite sulphur fertilizer. Today,
Tiger-Sul Products is the world’s leading
manufacturer of bentonite sulphur and
bentonite sulphur micronutrients, trademarked
as TIGER 90 CRR Sulphur and TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizers.
Along with TIGER 90 CRR sulphur, TIGER
50CRR sulphur / sulphate fertilizer is used
extensively on cooler soils due to the immediate
availability of sulphate as well as the season
long release of plant nutrient sulphur. The
growth of TIGER 50CRR sulphur / sulphate
fertilizers is attributed to the many benefits
associated with the agronomic and economic
enhancements.
In May 2005, Tiger was purchased by H.J.
Baker & Bro. Inc., of Westport Connecticut,
USA. This privately owned family business is
one of the oldest fertilizer companies in North
America, dating back to 1850. With its core
business focused on the agricultural sector, H.J.
Baker & Bro. Inc. recognized the need for
sulphur based fertilizers and saw Tiger-Sul as a
solution to the growing global sulphur shortage.
TIGER-SUL EXPANDS NORTH
AMERICAN PRODUCTION
In July 2007, H.J. Baker & Bro. Inc.
announced that its subsidiary company TigerSul Products would be building a state-of-theart bentonite sulphur pastillation facility in
Stockton, California, USA to address the
growing demand for sulphur and sulphur based
micronutrients in the California and western
regions of the United States. The production
facility will be built on the existing H.J. Baker
sulphur forming facility site and will be the third
production facility in North America for Tiger-Sul
Products. The new production facility will
initially have one pastillation belt with room for
expansion and is expected to be fully
operational by July 2008.
H.J. Baker & Bro. President & CEO,
Christopher Smith said, “We are very pleased to
announce the expansion of the Tiger-Sul
Ground breaking of the H.J. Baker & Bro. Inc., Tiger-Sul pastille plant at their Stockton,
California sulphur forming facility.
production into the California region. The
expansion of the Tiger-Sul network is part of our
overall growth strategy to offer this outstanding
line of fertilizers, including TIGER 90 CRR
Sulphur and TIGER MICRONUTRIENTSR
fertilizers, into the California and Global
markets.”
The California and Western soil regions
require degradable sulphur as a nutrient as well
as a soil amendment for crop production. The
soils are rich in lime (calcium carbonate, CaC03)
and are also very high in pH, which restricts
phosphate and micronutrients for plant growth.
Also complicating the situation is the presence
of sodium (Na) that will restrict water
penetration into these soils. The application of
TIGER 90 CRR sulphur to the soil as an
amendment helps to improve phosphate and
micronutrient availability through the production
of sulphuric acid (H2S04). The sulphuric acid
reacts with the free lime in the soil and
produces gypsum (CaS04), which will displace
the sodium (Na) that is occupying the soil
exchange site. The reaction also lowers the soil
pH through the production of hydrogen (H2).
The result is a soil that has improved water
infiltration and improved phosphate and
micronutrient availability.
Research conducted by Elston Solberg
(Alberta Agriculture, U of Alberta) on TIGER 90
CRR sulphur clearly showed that the reaction
occurring had a significant impact in the micro
site surrounding the TIGER 90 CRR sulphur
particle in the soil. Measurements of phosphate
and micronutrient availability clearly showed
increased availability the closer you got to the
particle in the soil. (See Figure 1).
This same principal was the building block
for the development of the TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizer line. Tiger-Sul
looked at some of the major hurdles in
micronutrient performance and developed the
new class of micronutrients called Bentonite
Sulphur Micronutrients. By utilizing the
bentonite sulphur (a macronutrient) as the
delivery system for the micronutrients, Tiger-Sul
was able to overcome one of the greatest
hurdles in granular micronutrient fertility distribution, thus greatly improving micronutrient
distribution in the soil. The second significant
benefit is the enhancement of the micro site
due to the creation of the sulphuric acid
(H2S04). By also utilizing a high purity
micronutrient source, Tiger-Sul developed a
unique and improved granular micronutrient
product.
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FEATURE TIGER-SUL
Figure 1
Phosphate and Micronutrient Availability in Micro Site near
TIGER 90 CRR Sulphur Particle in the Soil
TIGER-SUL EXPANDS
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION
Also in 2007, H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc.
announced that it was entering into a
partnership with Chemical Initiatives of
Johannesburg, South Africa to license the
Tiger-Sul technology for its first international
production facility that will supply the African
and Oceana markets.
Steve Sackett, Managing Director with
Chemical Initiatives, comments: “We are
pleased to be partnered with Tiger-Sul to
produce the Tiger-Sul brand of fertilizers for
Africa, Australia and New Zealand regions. We
looked at our options and decided that TigerSul provided a wealth of production and
agronomic knowledge as they pioneered the
bentonite sulphur technology and have
specialized in sulphur nutrition. By working with
Tiger-Sul, we have access to decades of
sulphur research and trials as we develop the
sulphur market in the African regions. We have
seen some amazing results on crops such as
maize, soybeans and potatoes in the African
region with TIGER 90 CRR sulphur and TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizer applications.”
Research by The Sulphur Institute based out
of Washington, DC, USA, has determined
Africa’s sulphur deficit is 1.5 million tonnes, and
by 2010 it is forecast to reach 1.6 million
tonnes, making it the second most sulphur
deficient region next to Asia.
Doug Aylward, Fertilizer Manager with
Chemical Initiatives, comments: “At Chemical
Initiatives, we plan to demonstrate the need for
sulphur and micronutrients in the African
regions by partnering with leading edge
agronomists such as Francis Yeatman. Francis
is working closely with producers who are trying
to overcome yield barriers by looking beyond
traditional NPK only applications by
implementing a complete balanced fertility
package. TIGER 90 CRR sulphur and TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizers help to bridge
the nutrient gap and provide balanced fertility
throughout the growing season. The results
that we are seeing in the field are amazing,
which provides many rewarding visits that I’m
pleased to be a part of. The future is bright for
agriculture in Africa.”
TIGER-SUL TO CONTINUE EXPANSION
Tiger-Sul plans to continue its expansion
plans to other new markets. Currently, Tiger-Sul
is looking at developing several new sulphur
pastille plants in regions that are sulphur
deficient and require a local manufacturing
facility.
Don Cherry, President of H.J. Baker & Bro.
Inc., Fertilizer Division, and President of TigerSul Products, comments: “H.J. Baker is
committed to the fertilizer industry. H.J. Baker
South African Agronomist Francis Yeatman (left) with local producer Richard Van Renseburg and Doug Aylward of Chemical Initiatives
(right) inspecting a maize field treated with TIGER 90 CRR sulphur.
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FEATURE TIGER-SUL
White maize cob treated with TIGER 90 CRR on right, showing a significant improvement in cob size and kernel development.
has 158 years of experience and relationships
in the fertilizer industry. Our longevity is a
commitment to the industry and our plan is to
continue to grow our business through our
strategic partners and also through our TigerSul network. We liked the Tiger-Sul company as
it is strongly focused on the bentonite sulphur
and the bentonite sulphur micronutrient
business. Since Tiger-Sul started the bentonite
sulphur business back in the mid 1980’s, they
have continued to develop a strong brand
through ongoing R&D programs and marketing
Part of the Tiger-Sul product range. Left, a bag of TIGER 90 CRR sulphur; right, a bag of TIGER MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizers; centre top,
TIGER MICRONUTRIENTSR 18% Zinc; centre bottom, TIGER 90 CRR sulphur mini-prills.
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FEATURE TIGER-SUL
TIGER 90 CRR sulphur increased potato tuber formation by three times over untreated
plots in Egyptian soils.
efforts. New products, such as the TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizer line, are a
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testament to their dedication and focus to their
business. As well, Tiger-Sul invests significant
resources on ongoing marketing efforts to
educate the industry on the benefits of
bentonite sulphur and bentonite sulphur
micronutrients. Our partners such as Chemical
Initiatives become part of our network benefiting
from the ongoing R&D developments and
marketing efforts. Currently, we are working
closely with Chemical Initiatives to develop their
markets and to educate the industry on the
TIGER 90 CRR sulphur and TIGER
MICRONUTRIENTSR fertilizer lines. Tiger-Sul is
currently developing several new sulphur based
fertilizer products that will create new markets
for our partners. Assisting our partner
companies in the construction of the Tiger-Sul
facilities is only part of our commitment.
Assisting them in their market to educate their
customers on the benefits of the products is
the real long-term commitment. A global
network of Tiger-Sul sulphur production facilities
will benefit all our partners as research
programs and marketing programs from various
regions can be shared among our network.”
The future looks bright for H.J. Baker & Bro.,
Inc. and its subsidiary company Tiger-Sul
Products. Once considered a waste byproduct,
elemental sulphur has a significant place in the
future of the fertilizer industry. TIGER 90 CRR
sulphur and TIGER MICRONUTRIENTSR
fertilizers are poised to be a solution to the
growing global sulphur deficit.■