Building New Infrastructure
ICL’s subsidiary, ICL Rotem, is in the process of implementing new infrastructure as part of its operation. In the next few years, ICL Rotem will invest more than $200 million in environmental and safety projects. ICL Rotem has multiple projects regarding, wastewater, waste and air quality. \
One of our largest infrastructure projects is the construction of the new retention ponds. These ponds are used to retain acidic phosphogypsum fluid. The Phosphogypsum component precipitates to the bottom of the ponds, and the remaining water is circulated back for re-usage in the ICL Rotem production processes. The new ponds are built with top of the line technology according to the world highest standards. This technology allows for many advantages, in terms of exceptional pond strength and stability, as well as unprecedented water re-usage efficiency. These new ponds replace the old ponds near Ashalim Creek.
Most of our R&D in the in the past two years has been focused on solving environmental issues. We are searching for technological solutions for environmental concerns that have been raised as part of our preparation to comply with the Clean Air Law.
We are also focusing on some of our waste streams. We are looking at developing a wastewater neutralization facility. In addition, we are considering the various ways and possible solutions for recycling some of our waste streams.
In order to comply with the various environmental requirements, ICL Rotem intends to invest approximately $200 million in the near future. We assume that we will add approximately 200 permanent employees for these various projects.
In the next 5 years, we expect that about 80% of our investments at ICL Rotem, will be spent on environmental protection projects.
