Research, Development and Innovation

ICL’s research, development and innovation (RD&I) activities support its growth strategy. The main objective of these activities is to enable new product sales (NPS) and new business creation in the areas of next-generation fertilizers, food technology, e-mobility/sustainability, novel materials and digital agriculture. Developments encompass products, formulations, processes and new business models. Development activities are implemented in ICL’s RD&I centers around the world and in external labs in universities, research institutes and startups that ICL is collaborating with on several RD&I projects. Thorough analyses of market and customer needs precede strategic research projects. ICL also continuously searches for new uses for ICL’s core minerals and their derivatives.

ICL’s core RD&I activities support each of ICL’s business segments, while longer term strategic projects, digital platforms and technological solutions for farmers and agronomists are coordinated at the corporate level. ICL drives collaborations with companies offering innovative technologies for crop nutrition, and agronomy, with the goal of introducing and integrating new digital solutions into the agricultural world by utilizing, among other things, external knowledge and platforms.

RD&I Main Focus Areas

Next-generation fertilizers: Nutrient use efficiency, biodegradable coatings for controlled release fertilizers; bio stimulants, nutrient sensing technologies; growth enhancers; nitrogen fixation for crops and soil health
Food technology: Texture improvement, stabilization, salt reduction, shelf-life extension, meatless and alternative proteins
E-Mobility and sustainability: Energy storage; metal recycling
Novel materials: Flame retardants; paint and coating additives; biocides; natural cosmetics
Circular economy: Waste to product; recycling; efficiency improvement using ICL’s minerals and chemistries
Industry 4.0: IoT (Internet of Things) in manufacturing, safety and environment; machine learning and artificial intelligence for manufacturing optimization and product development
Agro digital platform: ICL is in the process of developing an open agro digital platform that integrates multiple precision-ag technologies to enable professionals to collaborate and innovate faster and better

9.4

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.

RD&I Activities

ICL Industrial Products segment

New flame retardants for printed wire boards: Development of new phosphorus‑based solutions for PWB.
Flame retardants for polyurethanes: Development of new phosphorus‑based solutions and integrated phosphorus/bromine solutions as flame retardants for the polyurethane market (flexible and rigid foam).
- The VeriQuel® F series, is a new flexible halogen-free active flame retardant for flexible polyurethane recently launched to the market.
- VeriQuel®R100, is a new reactive phosphorus-based flame retardant for rigid insulation foams in building and construction markets.
- Textiles and adhesives: Continuing development and sales of the TexFRon® series. Sustainable and durable flame retardant products for textile and adhesives, replacing former flame retardant products. The series includes polymeric flame retardants that are Oeko‑Tex® certified, that also allow ATO free FR solutions.
Energy storage: Continued development of bromine‑based energy storage solutions for Br-Battery companies, using diverse compounds
Biocides: Continued development of new materials for water treatment and prevention of biofilm in industrial water-cooling systems and pulp and paper plants, including the use of signaling molecules as non-biocidal additives to prevent biofilm.
Magnesia-based products: Development of formulations to fulfil unmet needs in markets, such as replacing aluminum components in deodorants and zinc oxide in several consumer products.
Support of production: Improving product quality, production costs, energy savings, recycling and waste treatment. Changing and improving processes, while using the principles of green chemistry.
Troubleshooting and equipment maintenance: using better construction materials, preventing accelerated corrosion, wear and tear, and equipment adaptation.

ICL's product CareMagⓇ D answers the Antiperspirant and Deodorant (APD) industry requirements for natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic ingredients.

7.1

By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy.

ICL Potash segment

Efficiency and synergy measures to increase potash production and reduce cost per ton at the potash and magnesium plants in ICL Dead Sea.
Advancement of research regarding environmental protection, including the development of methods to treat and reduce effluents.
Development of new downstream products to diversify ICL’s product.
Improvement of product quality by tackling emerging issues such as degradability, organic content, etc.

ICL Phosphate Solutions segment

Continued diversification of the product portfolio for meat substitutes. In this context, ICL developed a continuous process to manufacture wet protein fibers that are sold under the ROVITARIS® brand. Main application areas are white meat substitutes for chicken, fish and seafood. A dedicated plant was established during Q4 2021.
The development of new liquid corrosion inhibitors (FLASH-X®) which contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are solvents or low boiling point molecules which are released into the air as paint dries. ICL is focused on producing corrosion inhibitors which have little to no impact on the environment. Similarly, ICL is also launching new stabilizers (e.g. LOPON® 828) for silicate-based paint which contain ultralow VOCs. ICL began to offer a complete range of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) solutions from its YPH joint venture plant in China. ICL is committed to creating additional capacity to meet rapidly increasing customer demand for specialty MAP products, including raw materials for the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries destined for electric vehicles and other energy storage.
The JOHA® SF Line, the new generation of emulsifying salts, was nominated as one of the finalists of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards 2021, recognizing our groundbreaking progress in the field of foodtech. This innovative line of products helps cheese manufacturers bring healthier, more sustainable food to families’ tables worldwide.
Development of applications for water conservation and improving the availability of phosphorus fertilizers around the root.
Continuous trials for adaptation of various potential types/quantities of phosphate rock to produce phosphoric acid and its downstream products, as part of an effort to utilize and increase existing phosphate reserves.
Research regarding environmental protection, including development of methods for treating and reducing effluents

In accordance with the strategy to expand ICL food specialties’ business by adding natural, cleaner label ingredients for improving texture, shelf life and pH management, ICL began broader screening of technologies, startups and specific molecules. Initial promising results were achieved in the fields of new functional proteins and natural acidulants.

ICL Innovative Ag Solutions segment

Upgrading the product portfolio with new product formulations, mainly, tailored formulations based on customer demand.
Development of improved production options for the unique HiPeak product line
Development of controlled‑release NPK fertilizers with a quicker, fully degradable coating.
Development of applications for water conservation and making fertilizers more available around crop roots.
Initiation and development of new technologies to increase nutrient use efficiency.
Development of Fibagro® Advance, a unique and superior peat alternative manufactured in the UK from homegrown Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sourced wood, which is a by-product of the timber industry. This innovative and advanced wood fiber product is being used as a key component in professional growing media mixes and provides professional growers with a sustainable growing solution. It contributes to local circular economy targets, has a lower carbon footprint compared with peat and other peat alternatives, and is setting the standard for the next generation of professional growing media.

ICL's multi-nutrient fertilizer Polysulphate® is a soluble, easily absorbed, cost-effective answer to crop nutrition.

IMI TAMI

The ICL Chemical Research Center in Israel — IMI TAMI is a world-class research institute. Its primary goal is to expand ICL’s business by improving existing chemical production processes and developing new proprietary chemical compounds that offer a commercial advantage. TAMI’s team includes chemists, engineers, and microbiologists. The institute also provides a broad range of services, including research and development, production, testing and a very large selection of analysis options for customers from the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and environmental quality service industries.

As a one-stop-shop facility, TAMI's infrastructure and expertise enable the development of processes from the basic idea to the full industrial process. TAMI offers its expertise in every step of the process: idea validation, lab feasibility, parametrization, process safety analysis, scale-up and waste treatment. Development relies on a state-of-the-art infrastructure containing in house development tools, and is assisted with cutting edge customized simulation capabilities, such as ASPEN PLUS, VISIMIX, etc. TAMI also deals with scaling down processes for troubleshooting or changing and upgrading processes. TAMI works under strict regulation requirements, e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 GLP, etc. To meet customer requirements, TAMI provides various solutions for raw material recycling and waste treatment and analysis, as well as sophisticated analytical tools to face new challenges.

Research, Development and Innovation

RD&I Main Focus Areas

RD&I Activities

IMI TAMI

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