On September 11, 2019, the founding meeting of the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Attending the meeting were Gu Zongqin, Chairman of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association; Zhang Luping, County Mayor of Jiaocheng County; Guo Qiang, Deputy County Mayor of Jiaocheng County; Xue Yandong, Researcher at the Fertilizer and Water-Saving Division of the Crop Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Bai Youlu, Director of the Water-Saving Technology Division of the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center and Chairman of the China Society for Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers; Sun Jifeng from the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, along with more than 160 leaders, experts, and representatives from nitro-fertilizer enterprises.

At the meeting, the Management Measures for the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch and the proposal regarding the first-term president and vice-presidents were reviewed and approved. The first-term president, vice-presidents, advisors, and secretary-general of the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch were elected and awarded certificates. Li Tengfei, General Manager of Shanxi Huaxin Fertilizer Co., Ltd., was elected as the first-term president of the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch.

After the approval by the 5th Session of the 6th Council of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association to establish the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch, the Association has received membership applications from a total of 36 entities, including Shanxi Huaxin Fertilizer Co., Ltd. (for the full list of members, see the attachment). After careful consideration of factors such as company size and industry influence, and having sought the consent of the relevant enterprises, it is proposed to elect Shanxi Huaxin Fertilizer Co., Ltd. as the presiding unit of the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch (1st term), and seven other entities, including Tianji Group Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., as vice-presiding units of the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch (1st term).

Jiaocheng County in Shanxi Province is the nation’s most concentrated hub for the production and sales of nitro-based products. Its current maximum production capacity has reached 1.9 million tons, with key products including 1.1 million tons of ammonium nitrate calcium, 600,000 tons of nitro compound fertilizers, 40,000 tons of calcium magnesium nitrate, 120,000 tons of calcium nitrate magnesium nitrate, 30,000 tons of potassium nitrate, and approximately 20,000 tons of other nitric acid-based products. The local synthetic ammonia production capacity stands at around 600,000 tons, while nitric acid production (including projects under construction) exceeds 1.6 million tons, forming a unique industrial chain for nitro-based products. Production and sales volumes have been growing at an annual rate of over 40%. Jiaocheng County’s main export products—calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate calcium—account for 75% to 80% of the domestic market and more than 50% of the international market. As a result, Jiaocheng has truly earned its reputation as China’s “Calcium Capital.” The establishment of the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association reflects the global demand for high-quality agricultural development.

In her speech, Zhang Luping, the County Mayor of Jiaocheng County People's Government, stated that Jiaocheng County’s key export products—calcium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate—account for 75% of the domestic market and over 50% of the international market. Over the past two years, Jiaocheng County in Shanxi Province has seen its nitric acid production grow at an annual rate exceeding 20%, with new nitro-based fertilizers rapidly gaining momentum. As a result, Jiaocheng has earned the industry nickname “China’s Calcium Capital.” A group of locally-based leading enterprises with strong core competitiveness in nitro-based fertilizers is now rapidly rising to prominence. Shanxi Huaxin Fertilizer Co., Ltd. leverages the coking gas from its parent company’s coke oven to operate a 180,000-ton-per-year synthetic ammonia plant, a 600,000-ton nitro-based compound fertilizer plant, and a 400,000-ton calcium ammonium nitrate capacity expansion—the first phase of which went into operation in 2018. Jiaocheng Jinlan Chemical Co., Ltd. boasts magnesium nitrate drying technology that is internationally advanced. The Sanxi Chemical project, with an annual output of 100,000 tons of dilute nitric acid and 30,000 tons of fine nitrate salts, has also been put into operation. Shanxi Leixin Chemical Co., Ltd. is bringing to market 150,000 tons of nitric acid and 250,000 tons of nitrate products annually. Shanxi Hongxing Chemical Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Belgium’s ANORELNV, has jointly developed a water-soluble fertilizer containing fully nitrate nitrogen and trace elements, becoming the first product registered with the Ministry of Agriculture. The establishment of today’s sub-association is not only a significant milestone for the industry’s development but also a joyous occasion for Jiaocheng’s ammonium calcium enterprises! As the local official responsible for Jiaocheng’s enterprises, I will continue to provide them with excellent service, foster a favorable development environment, and promote the healthy growth of the sub-association.