History
The world's first production of Nitrogen fertilizer "Norgessalpeter" (calcium nitrate) at a test facility in Notodden, Norway. Production based on the Birkeland Eyde invention using hydroelectric power to extract nitrogen from air. Norsk Hydro founded on Dec. 2 1905.
A new large scale production plant including power supply completed at Notodden and construction of the plant at Rjukan. King Chulalongkorn of Siam visited both sites.
Ammonia production began at Rjukan (1928). Plants established at Porsgrunn (1929). New industrial products like heavy water, CO2 developed. Yara Sluiskil (NSM) opened (1929).
Sales office opened in Stockholm. Sales began in the USA focusing on Calcium nitrate for fruit and vegetable cash crops. Agency established in San Francisco, California. The Glomfjord plant opened.It used hydroelectric power to upgrade ammonia to calcium nitrate and NPK (1949).
Ammonia production established at Porsgrunn one plant based on partial oxidation of heavy fuel oil and one based on steam reforming of naphta. The Qafco joint venture with Qatar Industries was established in 1969.
Sales to Thailand via a local partner in 1972. Sales gradually extended to other Asian countries. Hong Kong office opened in 1972. Qafco 1 plant started production of ammonia and urea in 1973. Established sales office for South America in Rio de Janeiro, 1977.
Acquisition of NSM (Netherlands), Supra (Sweden), Fisons (UK), Ruhr Sticstoff (Germany), Windmill (Netherland), Cofaz (France). Terminal established in Chiwan, China in 1982. Office established in Harare, Zimbabwe 1983.
Acquisitions in Germany and Trinidad. Joint ventures in Florida and Trinidad. New offices and bulk blending units in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Acquisition of ENI Chem's fertilizer operations in Italy. Further growth and establishment of an extensive marketing network outside Europe.
Agri acquired Adubos Trevo in Brazil and a controlling stake in Kynoch, South Africa. Turnaround and consolidation of the company. Hydro decided to list Agri on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange; March 25, 2004. Yara focuses on a future as the high-performance leader of the fertilizer industry.
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