Iberpotash vacuum salt crystallisation plant

29.1.2015

Question for written answer E-001277-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL)

The Spanish potash producer Iberpotash, a subsidiary of the Israeli chemicals and mining concern ICL, will be investing a further EUR 350 million in the latest technology between now and 2017 to comply with the requirements of European environmental law.

These investments are intended for the construction of a further vacuum salt crystallisation plant which will make it possible to recycle salt waste and clear residue piles. There are also plans to build a new loading terminal at the port of Barcelona and a new potash granulate fertiliser plant in Súria. EUR 70 million are earmarked for the modernisation of factory plant and transport infrastructure alone. In the first phase of ‘Project Phoenix’ (2012-2014), Iberpotash built a vacuum crystallisation plant designed to recycle residue piles and produce both evaporated salt and potash fertiliser. The plant is due to open in 2014, and from 2015 Iberpotash will not be discharging any more salt solutions into the environment. The firm is thus meeting the deadline for complying with the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive.

1. Have EU legal proceedings been brought against the Spanish potash producer Iberpotash in respect of its environmental technology innovations as part of Project Phoenix?

2. What was the precise subject of the EU proceedings brought against Iberpotash?

3. Does the Commission know whether the Spanish Government required the potash producer Iberpotash to build a vacuum crystallisation plant and clear the residue piles in the medium term?