Agrium Advanced Technologies Announces Expanded DURATION CR® Product Line
Sylacauga, Alabama Site to Increase Plant Production Capabilities

Release Date:10/30/2009

LOVELAND, Colo. (October 30, 2009) – Agrium Advanced Technologies announced it will make capital investments to the Sylacauga manufacturing operations to allow for an expansion of its DURATION CR® polymer-coated fertilizer product line.

Work begins in November 2009 and will involve the addition of equipment and materials to enable manufacturing of the proprietary DURATION CR coating technology. New products to be produced include small-sized urea and potassium fertilizers for golf course markets and homogenous NPKs for horticulture markets. The plant expansion will ensure that Agrium Advanced Technologies is able to meet the growing demand for its products. The completion date for the project is expected to be the first quarter of 2010.

“We are seeing increased demand for DURATION CR at various levels in the channel and we want to ensure that we have the best solutions for all of our customers,” says Andrew Mittag, president, Agrium Advanced Technologies.

DURATION CR fertilizers feature a precision controlled-release mechanism that is environmentally friendly and protects against leaching. The advanced polymer-coating technology gradually releases nutrients as plants need them and this efficiency enables up to 25 percent less nitrogen to be applied per year.

“This product line expansion is consistent with our vision to be the global leader in providing environmentally sound, high performance plant growth technologies,” added Mittag.

DURATION CR urea-based products are currently manufactured in Carseland, Alberta. The added Alabama production capability allows Agrium Advanced Technologies to better serve its customers in Eastern North America and around the world.

For more information about Agrium Advanced Technologies, please visit http://www.agriumat.com or call 888.757.0072.

About Agrium Advanced Technologies
Agrium Advanced Technologies is a strategic business unit of Agrium Inc., a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in both North and South America and a leading global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products. Agrium Advanced Technologies is the leading manufacturer and marketer of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers and micronutrients in the Agriculture, professional Turf and Ornamental, consumer lawn and garden, and specialty agriculture markets.   Agrium Advanced Technologies' brands include: ESN®, POLYON®, XCU™, NITROFORM®, NUTRALENE®, and DURATION CR® slow- and controlled-release fertilizers, UltraYield Micronutrients, AMP™ and PRECISE® controlled-release plant protection. These products utilize proprietary advanced generation technologies to control nutrient release for improved plant growth and environmental performance.