History
In 2010 CSBP will celebrate its centenary.
We have a proud history in supporting the growth of Western Australian agriculture via the local production and importation of fertilisers, coupled with ongoing research in the field.
In more recent times, our company has expanded its role to support the mining, mineral processing and industrial sectors through the development of our chemical production businesses.
We look forward to expanding our horizons through the ongoing development of our domestic businesses and increasing exports of our products.
1910s
Cuming Smith & Company becomes the first firm in Australia to make superphosphate, manufacturing from their Bassendean Works under the brand name Florida.
Mt Lyell Mining Railway Co. commences manufacture of superphosphate at North Fremantle Chemical Works.
1920s
In 1927 Cuming Smith Mount Lyell Farmers Fertiliser Ltd (CSML) is established by Cuming Smith & Company Pty Ltd, Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Co., and Westralian Farmers superphosphates each holding a 33% share.
Cresco, a South Australia superphosphate manufacturer, commences production at Bayswater Works in 1928.
The first field trials are established to quantify the responsiveness of legume pastures to the application of superphosphate. At the time, nitrogen fertilisers were not used and legume pastures were a critical part of agricultural production by building up soil fertility and fixing nitrogen for the benefit of following cereal crops.
The company works in collaboration with other research and development organisations to identify and overcome trace element deficiencies such as zinc, manganese, iron and copper which were limiting pasture and crop production on sandy soils. Many of these deficiencies were the first in the world to be recorded in the field and correcting them resulted in a quantum leap in productivity and an expansion in the area of soils suitable for agriculture.
1930s
CSML commissions the Bunbury and Geraldton Works in 1930.
CSML establishes farmer-based Pasture Improvement Groups to investigate and apply the benefits from fertilising pastures in farm rotations.
1950s
Albany Superphosphate Company is formed by CSML and Cresco and subsequently, the Albany Works is commissioned in 1954.
1960s
The Esperance Works is commissioned in 1962.
In 1963 Boral purchases one-third share of CSML held by Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Co. BP subsequently purchases Boral’s share of CSML in 1964 and the new joint venture is named CSBP & Farmers Ltd.
Kwinana Works is commissioned in 1968 and expands to include phosphoric acid, ammonia, nitric acid and ammonium nitrate processing.
That same year, the Kwinana Nitrogen Company is formed by CSBP & Farmers Ltd and BP.
Bassendean and North Fremantle Works also cease production in 1968.
1970s
CSBP & Farmers Ltd take over Cresco Fertilisers in 1970.
In 1971 the Bassendean, North Fremantle and Bayswater Works are decommissioned and the Kwinana Granulating Plant is commissioned the following year.
In 1977 Westralian Farmers Cooperative Ltd take over Cuming Smith & Co Ltd and Westralian Farmers Superphosphate Ltd to hold 66 per cent ownership of CSBP & Farmers Ltd.
Through the 1970s, CSBP & Farmers Ltd played a major role in the National Soil Fertility Project coordinated by CSIRO, by establishing a series of field experiments across WA. The company used the results from the National Soil Fertility experiments to develop fertiliser recommendation models based on the nutrient content of the soil (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur).
A soil testing service, which generated recommendations for phosphorus and potassium fertiliser, was first offered to farmers in 1971. Field experimentation continued throughout the 1970s to refine the soil testing service, including the addition of nitrogen recommendations, and to develop plant testing services for the major nutrients and trace elements.
1980s
In 1986 Wesfarmers Ltd acquires BP’s one third share of CSBP & Farmers Ltd to become the sole owner.
In the 1980s CSBP & Farmers Ltd actively seeks to diversify its business into industrial chemicals, leveraging off its manufacturing base.
In 1987 a chlor alkali plant is commissioned at the Kwinana site.
Australian Gold Reagents Pty Ltd (AGR) is formed through a joint venture between CSBP & Farmers Ltd, Coogee Chemicals and Australian Industry Development Corporation in 1988 to produce sodium cyanide for the gold industry.
CSBP & Farmers Ltd further refines its fertiliser recommendations by developing its first computerised prediction models. Soil and plant testing are now routine practices for many farmers. The company also demonstrates through field experimentation that trace elements such as copper needed to be continually monitored and re-applied, especially as yields and productivity were increasing through the use of high rates of nitrogen fertilisers and other genetic and agronomic advances.
1990s
In 1994 CSBP & Farmers Ltd changes its name to Wesfarmers CSBP Limited.
The sodium cyanide plant at Kwinana is expanded in 1997.
Wesfarmers CSBP Limited enters a joint venture with Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific to form Queensland Nitrate Project (QNP) in 1999.
In the 1990s our field research concentrates on the role of fertilisers in high productivity cropping packages including fertiliser interactions with early sowing, new varieties, high seed rates and appropriate nitrogen applications and fertiliser placement.
2000s
A 200,000t ammonia plant at Kwinana and the QNP ammonium nitrate plant in Moura, Queensland are commissioned in 2000.
In 2002 both the Geraldton and Esperance Works solids manufacturing plants are decommissioned and demolished.
The new multi-million dollar purpose-built Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory is opened at Bibra Lake in 2001, and CSBP’s Flexi-N liquid fertiliser is commercially released.
In 2003 Wesfarmers CSBP Limited changes its name to CSBP Limited.
CSBP purchases Australian Vinyls in 2007.
In 2008 CSBP completes an expansion of its ammonium nitrate production facility at Kwinana, doubling its ammonium nitrate production capacity.
By 2009 CSBP has over 150 fertiliser and chemical products.