The group is closing several energy-intensive plants at its headquarters, including one for ammonia.
(Photo: IMAGO/blickwinkel)
Dusseldorf The 2023 winter season ended with a surprise for German farmers: a good fifth of the nitrogen fertilizer they used came from Russia, much more than in previous years. Because European chemical plants had to shut down production because of the high gas prices, traders bought the plant nutrients from cheaper Russian production – quite legally.
The basic chemical ammonia, which is used as a fertilizer, is not affected by the sanctions against Russia. However, growing imports have not only alarmed agriculture. Fertilizer has become a symbol of what happens when Germany and Europe can no longer provide themselves with important products.
Chemical experts see it as a realistic scenario. “The high energy prices in Europe will fuel the exodus of basic chemicals,” expects industry analyst Markus Mayer from Baader Bank. One example is BASF: The group is closing several energy-intensive plants in Ludwigshafen, including one for ammonia.
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