The enactment of the Acid Rain Program under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments was in response to the discovery that acid rain was a major result of the burning of fossil fuels. When burned, fossil fuels, such as coal, emit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These oxides were reacting in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and oxidants to form acid rain, among other outcomes (Science Master). While the Acid Rain Program did result in the reduction of the chemicals causing acid rain, it also resulted in something unexpected: the reduction of the much needed nutrient in the healthy growth of plants – Sulfur.
Sulfur (S) has gained increasing attention the past several years in the fertilizer industry, as people discovered their crops were in need of it. What wasn’t foreseen with the Acid Rain Program, was that acid rain was a major supplier of sulfur to plants that needed it. Over time, people started to realize that plants weren’t getting the nutrition they needed, and a lack of sulfur in the soil was to blame.
Sulfur is necessary in the production of protein, and also fosters activity and development of enzymes and vitamins. In addition to these benefits, sulfur also improves root growth and seed production, aids in the creation of chlorophyll, and allows for resistance to cold temperatures (North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services). As this necessary nutrient began to disappear in soils, people have started looking for ways to put sulfur back into their soil.
As a key supplier and manufacturer in the fertilizer industry, FEECO International has worked with many companies to assist in bringing sulfur fertilizers back to the market. FEECO processes fertilizers for companies worldwide, with much experience in NPK fertilizer. FEECO also has the ability to seamlessly add sulfur into granular fertilizers, resulting in an easy to handle material, ideal for the needed characteristics of fertilizer. In addition, FEECO can process sulfur on its own, providing sulfur fertilizer, ammonium sulfate fertilizer, and others.
Aside from the processing of these materials into NPKS fertilizer and Ammonium Sulfate fertilizers, FEECO often works with coal-fired power plants to scrub sulfur out of flue gas, which can also be processed into fertilizer and fertilizer additives.
Sulfur is a necessary nutrient in the growth of healthy plants. Whether it is ammonium sulfate fertilizers, sulfur additives, or NPKS fertilizers, FEECO International has over 60 years of experience in processing materials for fertilizer.
is the author of this post. She has been part of the FEECO Marketing Team for 2 years, and has gained her knowledge from interviewing FEECO engineers, as well as spending time in the FEECO testing & tolling facility. At FEECO -- We Build BIG Stuff! Check out our website and social networks below to see some of the equipment we manufacture...
