Worldwide mineral processing company, Omya, announced it has finished Phase 1 of revitalizing its agricultural minerals facility in eastern Kansas, U.S., anchoring its plan to expand its offerings in the Midwest region.

With this completed renovation, the essential minerals and specialty chemical distribution company said it has “built a foundation for its long-term plan to offer superior granulated fertilizer products to Midwest and Great Plains farmers while expanding to serve customers in markets such as row and specialty crops, turfgrass and the home retail industry.”

Omya acquired the Wathena plant (Omya Kansas) in 2022 with plans to revitalize it to bring the facility up to Omya’s high global standards for producing specialty fertilizer products made from limestone, gypsum and dolomitic lime.

Facility upgrades include new quality control laboratory space, new dust removal equipment, new feed controls, new screens for controlling granulated product size, completely refurbished roller mills, new HVAC system for operations control rooms, completely refurbished pin mixers, new mobile vacuum trailer for easier heavy-duty cleanup, new site signage for safety and wayfinding, and refurbished break and locker rooms

“Omya Kansas is now positioned to provide excellent soil health and nutrient management options to growers across the region for years to come,” said Olav Bergset, the plant’s director of operations. “Making it a more comfortable and high-performing workplace is a key part of providing industry-leading products and customer service. That commitment is why the company invested in employee-centered upgrades like a new air conditioning and heating system for the control room operators, renovating common areas and buying a mobile industrial vacuum trailer to make big cleanups less labour-intensive. Along with adding shifts and expanding opportunities for training and advancement, the physical plant upgrades are helping us become a growing source of good jobs in the community.”

With this first phase of the renovation completed, Omya Kansas is planning additional upgrades to the facility beginning in 2025 as the company continues its Midwest expansion. “This project’s successful completion is something to celebrate. But we have more improvements slated for next year, so the plant’s future is bright and full of good work,” said Bergset.

Find out more about the latest technical and market developments in water-soluble fertilizers and biological inputs at the 23rd New AG International Annual conference and exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, 29 April – 1 May. Sign up here.