Diversified mining major Anglo American has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with two major Chinese fertiliser companies Sinochem Fertilizer and BeiFeng to further develop the market for polyhalite in China.

Sinochem, a member of the Syngenta group, is the largest distributor of agricultural inputs in China, with sales covering 95% of China’s arable land. The business encompasses the entire fertiliser industry supply chain spanning research and development, production, distribution and agrochemical services.

BeiFeng is the third-largest fertiliser distributor in China, focused on the three north-eastern provinces known as the country’s ‘grain barn’.

The MoUs will see both companies collaborate with Anglo American on the promotion and development of low-carbon, soil-friendly fertiliser products and practices, and jointly drive the establishment of polyhalite product standards in China.

This will include joint commercial-scale demonstrations and further research on major arable crops such as corn, soybean, potato and rice, as well as high-value crops such as apples, citrus and grapes, building on the series of crop trials that Anglo American has completed in recent years, as well as the development of regional sales opportunities, marketing strategies and supply arrangements.

“China is a key customer for us in our ambition to be a leader in sustainable crop nutrition. Given our Crop Nutrients business forms part of Anglo American’s . . . growth trajectory over the next decade, we are continuing to foster strategic partnerships across the agricultural industry to prepare the market for the . . . commercial and environmental benefits that polyhalite can offer farmers and the entire food value chain,” Anglo American Crop Nutrients CEO Tom McCulley said on August 30.

He said that, as a result, Anglo American would be working closely with its strategic partners to encourage more sustainable farming practices through the uptake and adoption of the company’s multinutrient and low-carbon POLY4 product, derived from the naturally-occurring mineral polyhalite, which will be supplied from the company’s Woodsmith mine in North Yorkshire, England.

“The signing of this MoU marks an initial achievement in our mutually beneficial partnership. We are eager to move beyond the agreement on paper to practical implementation, continuously advancing our collaborative projects.

“By leveraging our combined strengths, we’re working together towards our goal to create substantial value for Chinese farmers," Syngenta China VP and Sinochem GM Tielin Wang added.