New fertiliser 'cannot be used as bomb'

A chemical firm has invented a fertiliser that will be useless for bomb makers.

Independent tests using guidelines developed with the US government demonstrated that the fertiliser is more difficult to use as an explosive, Honeywell International said.

When mixed with diesel, a common ingredient added to ammonium nitrate fertiliser to make an explosive, the new product did not detonate.

“The unique composition of this new fertiliser makes it extremely difficult to turn it into a weapon,” said a company spokesman.

“Ammonium nitrate has long been an excellent fertiliser, but this technology makes it safer.”

Honeywell is conducting pilot plant test production to finalise scale-up and engineering plans for manufacturing.

It also is in talks with potential manufacturing partners.

The company hopes to have limited quantities for sale in some regions next year and plans to market the material as Sulf-N 26 fertiliser.