Fertiliser manufacturer opens second base at Sunderland port

A fertiliser manufacturer has opened its new storage and distribution hub at the Port of Sunderland.

Headquartered in Great Yarmouth, Brineflow pinpointed Port of Sunderland as its second base due to its “strategic position” on the east coast with close proximity to suppliers in the Baltic States and for larger cargoes trans-shipped in Rotterdam and other European ports.

The first phase of the Brineflow terminal will provide the company with the opportunity to store 9,010 tonnes of liquid nitrogen fertiliser, however planning permission has already been secured for the development of further space that would increase capacity four-fold to over 40,000 tonnes, should the need arise.

John Fuller OBE, chairman of Brineflow, said: “The opening of our new North East hub at such a critical mid-point on the east coast will see Brineflow become a truly national company and will help us further increase our share of the UK’s ever-growing liquid fertiliser market.

“Over recent years, the market for liquid nitrogen fertilisers has been increasing rapidly as farmers the world-over race to become net-zero, leading to a surge in demand for our products from companies across the UK.”

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “As a city, we made a commitment last year to become carbon neutral by 2040 and we’re absolutely thrilled to see Brineflow – a company which shares our passion for tackling climate change - investing in the Port of Sunderland.”

“Just last year, Scandinavian start-up Wastefront AS announced plans to construct the UK’s greenest tyre recycling plant at the port and this continued investment by companies into the hub shows just how attractive a proposition the port – and the wider city – have to investors.”