Slumping fertiliser makers turn to high-margin industrial uses

Makers of fertilisers that boost corn and palm growth are taking advantage of higher profit margins for uses in other industries, such as oil drilling and livestock feed, to ride out a severe slump. Potash and phosphate prices touched multi-year lows last year due to a capacity glut and soft crop prices. Higher and more stable returns for some industrial applications are prompting producers to shift greater attention to what has been a sideline business for some.