Work begins in November and will involve the addition of equipment and materials to enable manufacturing of the proprietary DURATION CR coating technology. New products to be produced include small-sized urea and potassium fertilizers for golf course markets and homogenous NPKs for horticulture markets. The plant expansion will ensure that Agrium Advanced Technologies is able to meet the growing demand for its products. The completion date for the project is expected to be the first quarter of 2010.

"We are seeing increased demand for DURATION CR at various levels in the channel and we want to ensure that we have the best solutions for all of our customers," says Andrew Mittag, president, Agrium Advanced Technologies.

DURATION CR fertilizers feature a precision controlled-release mechanism that's environmentally friendly and protects against leaching. The advanced polymer-coating technology gradually releases nutrients as plants need them and this efficiency enables up to 25 percent less nitrogen to be applied per year, according to the company.

DURATION CR urea-based products are currently manufactured in Carseland, Alberta. The added Alabama production capability allows Agrium Advanced Technologies to better serve its customers in Eastern North America and around the world, the company said.