ICL - Next Step Towards Sustainable Innovation

AMSTERDAM, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

ICL (NYSE and TASE: ICL) today announced it has acquired a technology aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its global operations.   

"We will turn sewage sludge into valuable raw materials," said Kees Langeveld, Vice President Business Development at ICL. "At ICL, we have a history of sustainable innovations and now we will find new ways to recycle waste."

"The RecoPhos technology will enable ICL to replace the sourcing of thousands of tons of high energy consuming phosphorus into Europe and the US and thus take us one step closer to a Circular Economy," added Kees Langeveld.

The acquisition from SGL Carbon GmbH will enable ICL to manufacture several forms of phosphorus derivatives out of waste ashes.

After a successful pilot phase, ICL plans to proceed over time with four full scale units in Europe and in the US. The first full scale unit could be operational by 2018. The output from these units will be used as raw materials for ICL's specialty businesses in the Food and Engineered Materials markets.

About ICL   

ICL is a global manufacturer of products based on specialty minerals that fulfill humanity's essential needs primarily in three markets: agriculture, food and engineered materials.

ICL produces approximately a third of the world's bromine, and is the sixth largest potash producer, as well as the leading provider of pure phosphoric acid. It is a major manufacturer of specialty fertilizers, specialty phosphates and flame retardants. ICL's mining and manufacturing activities are located in Israel, Europe, the Americas and China, and are supported by global distribution and supply networks.

The agricultural products that ICL produces help to feed the world's growing population. The potash and phosphates that it mines and manufactures are used as ingredients in fertilizers and serve as an essential component in the pharmaceutical and food additives industries. The food additives that ICL produces enable people to have greater access to more varied and higher quality food. ICL's water treatment products supply clean water to millions of people as well industry around the world. Other substances, based on bromine and phosphates, help to create energy that is more efficient and environmentally friendly, prevent the spread of forest fires and allow the safe and widespread use of a variety of products and materials.

ICL benefits from a number of unique advantages, including its vertically integrated activities and complementary and synergistic downstream operations for the production of unique end products; its balanced and varied product portfolio in growing markets; broad presence throughout the world and proximity to large markets, including in emerging regions.

ICL operates within a strategic framework of sustainability that includes a commitment to the environment, support of communities in which ICL's manufacturing operations are located and where its employees live, and a commitment to all its employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

ICL is a public company whose shares are dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). 46.2% of ICL's equity is held by Israel Corp., 13.9% by Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and the remainder by the public.

The company employs approximately 14,000 people worldwide, and its sales in 2015 totaled US$5.4 billion. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.icl-group.com.

Forward Looking Statement   

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements", many of which can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "should", "plan", "intend", "estimate" and "potential" among others.  Forward-looking statements are based on our management's current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, and those in "Item 3. Key Information-D. Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2015. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise them or any other information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

PRESS CONTACT                                            
Arne Padt
ICL Europe
+31-6-4167-3259
[email protected]

SOURCE ICL