Xavier Corrons

Logistics Manager of Iberpotash

What are the key figures in ICL Group’s Phoenix Plan?

The Phoenix Plan covers the industrial development of the whole coalfield of Bages and has broad repercussions in infrastructures, logistics and international markets. The Phoenix Plan translates into the expansion and modernisation of ICL’s industrial facilities in Súria, the improvement of transport infrastructures, the expansion of the logistic facilities in the Port of Barcelona and the increase in production of salt and potassium. With the Phoenix Plan, ICL will increase its volumes of transport of finished product fourfold.

Within the Phoenix Plan is the construction of a new terminal at the Port of Barcelona. Why has the ICL Group opted to locate its new terminal here?

The Port of Barcelona has historically been the natural way out for the products generated in the mines of Bages since the 1920s, when the mines were connected by rail with the Port of Barcelona. Nowadays, in order to transport the more than 1 million tonnes per year of product to the port it is absolutely essential to have a rail connection and, currently, the connection with the Port of Barcelona is the most competitive.

What characteristics is the terminal that has been granted in concession to the company TRAMER, a subsidiary of the ICL Group, going to have and what investments are going to be carried out?

The new cargo terminal at the Álvarez de la Campa dock of the Port of Barcelona will have a Surface area of 7 hectares and a draught of 14 metres which will enable ships of up to 60,000 tonnes to be loaded. It will have two loading bridges which will make it possible to load two ships simultaneously should this be necessary. The investment required covers not only actions and projects by ICL, but also by the Port of Barcelona.

What types of traffic and what volumes do you expect to handle in the new terminal?

The terminal has been conceived to receive, store and ship potassium and sodium salts. The design of the facility and the working systems will make it possible to meet the future needs of ICL at the Port of Barcelona.

What are the main destinations of Iberpotash exports and the main customer sectors?

Iberpotash currently exports nearly 80% of its products to Europe, Asia, and South America. At the same time new markets are opening up in Africa and North America.

Why has Iberpotash opted for intermodality (rail, land and sea) for the transport of its products?

Firstly, it is necessary to say that intermodality is not a goal in itself, but rather it is a necessary tool in order to be able to take full advantage of each means of transport which will enable a competitive logistics distribution. In this sense, it is important to point out that the improvement in rail infrastructures around the Mediterranean axis is imperative and urgent if we do not want to lose the potential there exists in using this means of transport.

Would Iberpotash be a firm candidate to use the Mediterranean Corridor to distribute its products to European destinations?

Undoubtedly, although many improvements are still necessary in this regard for us to really be able to affirm that the Mediterranean Corridor is a usable reality for freight transport. In this respect, there are numerous studies that establish what the investment priorities should be in order to make this Corridor a reality.

What is the commitment of Iberpotash to sustainable growth and what actions is it conducting to minimise the impact of the activity of Iberpotash on the environment?

Sustainability is a key concept in each of the company’s activities. ICL Iberia, the parent company of Iberpotash, is strongly linked to the territory in which it operates; and the incorporation of environmental and social aspects in the value chain of the processes carried out has been a highly regarded strategic commitment in the last few years.

ICL Iberia runs ongoing optimisation programmes in the use of resources, such as the improvement of the energy efficiency of its facilities, optimisation of water consumption, minimisation of waste production and programmes designed for waste recovery.