NITROGEN FROM AIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 177, 29 July 1932, Page 9

NITROGEN FROM AIR

VAST WORKS IN BRITAIN FERTILISER AND EXPLOSIVES Six hundred tons of nitrogen can bo obtained each day from the air at the famous factory controlled by Imperial Chemical Industries at Billingham, England. This in turn produces 2000 tons of artificial fertiliser—ammonium sulphate. The history of Britain ’s great nitrogen plant was referred to this week by Dr. W. J. Worboys, of Imperial Chemical Industries, who reached Wellington in the Monowai from San Francisco. Ho is paying his first visit to New Zealand, and he is to be stationed permanently in Australia, The nitrogen plant, said Dr. Worboys. was first established by the British Government because of the pressing need for nitrogen in the manufacture of explosives during the Great War. Later it was taken over by the firm of Brunner Mond, who first made ammonia at Billingham on Christmas Day, 1923. Six years ago the Imperial Chemical Industries combine was formed by the amalgamation of four great firms, including Brunner Mond, and in 1927-28 tho present plant was installed. More than £20,000,000 had been spent at Billingham. Since the combine had como into existence it had absorbed many firms of varying size. “Jt is adding to and building up a structure that is very sound and truly Imperial,” said Dr. Worboys. 4 ‘Our interests in this part of the world are looked after by Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand,” he continued. “We have no manufacturing industries in New Zealand, but that docs not say that he will not Lave them iu the future.” Though trade in fertilisers was suf fcring from the depression, high hopes were pinned on the Ottawa Conference. In tho opinion of Dr. Worboys there were great opportunities through out the Empire for tho extended use of artificial fertilisers which had proved themselves conclusively. Within the past three years nitrogen products had been tested successfully on the Canadian pyairies, and, even at the present price of wheat, tlicir use had been profitable. “Many countries,” he concluded, “are realising the advantages from a strategic point of view in having nitrogen factories of their own inorder to ensure a sufficiency of tho product in t ime for war. Even China has considered the need for assured supplies.”

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