SYNTHETIC NITRATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 8

SYNTHETIC NITRATE.

The project that is on foot in New Zealand for the extraction of nitrates from the air does not seem to be regarded by members of the Board of Governors of the Now Zealand Institute as containing within itself the elements of possible commercial success. This fact lends interest to a survey of the extent to which other countries have been establishing similar enterprises. The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen 'and the manufacture of various synthetic products, including ammonia, nitric acid, sulphate or chloride of ammonia, and other nitrogenous compounds of the greatest economic importance are described in a recent article in the Economist as “one of the epoch-making developments of recent times.” Such products, it is pointed out, are essential both for the manufacture of fertiliser and food production, as well as for the supply of munitions. In twenty-five years the world’s consumption of nitrogen compounds has doubled, approximating last year its pre-war figure of four million tons. Of this - total considerably more than half consisted, just prior to the war, of Chilian nitrate. “There should be an almost unlimited demand,” it is observed, “if prices were appreciably lower—as contemplated by tho synthetic groups—and if soil fertility throughout the world is to be adequately conserved.” Germany and Norway were among the pioneers of the synthetic nitrate industry. Germany, as a result of being thrown upon her own resources during the war, is now able to dispense entirely with Chilian nitrate, of which she took 800,000 tons annually in pre-war days. The survey of what is happening in France, Italy, and the United States, and Great Britain in connection with the development of tho synthetic processes hears out in an illuminating manner the statement that most of the leading nations of the world have now realised the supreme importance of these processes, of which at least four different types are said to be in successful operation. An interesting commentary is offered in the following terms;

This world-wide activity, taken in conjunction with a re-awakening of the Chilian nitrate interests to the seriousness of this new competition, might easily result in over-production unless there is a stimulation of demand through substantially lower prices. It is understood that the synthetic groups not only hope to reduce prices from tho present average ct about £l4 per ton to the low level of £8 per ton, but also to place on the market much more efficient fertilisers. This ought, furthermore, to have a revolutionary effect on world food production and on food prices. Since there are about 20,000,000 tons of nitrogen in the atmosphere over each square mile of the earth’s surface, there seems to be an adequate source of supply. On the other hand, the demand could be hugely augmented at the right price if the world’s soil fertiliy is to be properly maintained ; and with increasing population it must be so maintained.