The board of directors for The Sulphur Institute (TSI) recently named Hermann H. Wittje, director raw materials, The Mosaic Co., chair of the organization, and Mark Whittemore, executive vice president, commercial, International Commodities Export Corp. (ICEC), as vice chair.  This marks the first time in the 50-year history of TSI that representatives from a sulfur-consuming and a trading company have assumed the leadership of TSI.

“With new leadership representing leading companies in the worldwide sulfur business, this further demonstrates TSI’s growing diversity representing interests of all sulfur stakeholders,” said Catherine A. Randazzo, president and CEO. “The Sulphur Institute has evolved with the industry and now has member companies from the Arab Gulf and the Caspian Sea regions, where the sulfur business is growing rapidly, joining companies from Asia, Europe, and North America.”

“Mosaic helps the world grow the food it needs as the largest global supplier of phosphate, which requires sulfur as a key raw material in its manufacture,” said Wittje. “Further, Mosaic is a leader in the advancement of sulfur as the fourth essential nutrient.”

Formed in 2004 with the merger of IMC Global Inc. and the crop nutrition business of Cargill Inc., the company employs 7400 people in 10 countries.

“With the phosphate business rebounding, we are looking forward to a favorable 2010 with TSI’s valuable program activity,” Wittje added.
 
“ICEC provides marketing and project management services for fertilizers, sulfur, and sulfur acid and we recognize the value TSI brings to our business,” said Whittemore. “For over 60 years ICEC has been a global leader in international marketing of fertilizer and fertilizer raw materials through its offices in 17 countries.”

Both Wittje and Whittemore spoke to their roles with other TSI members and its staff in developing a comprehensive program for its upcoming Sulphur World Symposium 2010 in Doha, Qatar, April 12-15, 2010. Symposium details are available at www.sulphurinstitute.org/symposium10/.

Founded in 1960, TSI is committed to representing all stakeholders actively engaged in producing, buying, selling, handling, transporting, or adding value to sulfur on a global basis. For more information about TSI membership, programs, and contributions to the industry, visit www.sulphurinstitute.org.