Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 9, Omya, a worldwide leader in mineral processing, has completed Phase 1 of its renovation project at its agricultural minerals facility in eastern Kansas. The upgrades, finalized as of April 2025, mark a significant step in the company’s strategy to enhance its presence in the Midwest. The revitalized plant in Wathena, acquired by Omya in 2022, now serves as a cornerstone for delivering high-quality granulated fertilizer products to farmers across the Midwest and Great Plains, while also targeting markets like row crops, specialty crops, turfgrass, and home retail.

With the modernization of its Midwest granulation facility, Omya is prepared to expand to serve new U.S. markets. The renovated plant also offers a new level of product quality and service to the Midwest agricultural sector.

The modernized facility introduces improved capabilities to meet the needs of new U.S. markets. It brings advanced product quality and reliable service to the region’s agricultural community. Omya’s Kansas plant specializes in producing fertilizers from essential minerals such as limestone, gypsum, and dolomitic lime, aligning with the company’s global standards. The upgrades include a new quality control lab, updated dust removal systems, enhanced feed controls, and new screens to ensure consistent granulated product sizes. Additional improvements feature refurbished roller mills, pin mixers, and break rooms, alongside a new HVAC system for control rooms, a mobile vacuum trailer for efficient cleanup, and updated site signage for safety.

Olav Bergset, the plant’s director of operations, highlighted the project’s importance: “This revitalization project is a success because a lot of critical upgrades came together and added up to improve the overall work environment for our employees and make the facility what Omya’s world-class standards require it to be—a safe and efficient producer of consistently high-quality products.” He emphasized that the renovated plant now offers effective soil health and nutrient management solutions for regional growers, ensuring long-term benefits.

Bergset also noted the focus on employee well-being: “Making it a more comfortable and high-performing workplace is a key part of providing industry-leading products and customer service. That commitment is why the company invested in employee-centered upgrades like a new air conditioning and heating system for the control room operators, renovating common areas, and buying a mobile industrial vacuum trailer to make big cleanups less labor-intensive.” These efforts, combined with new shifts and training opportunities, strengthen the plant’s role as a growing employer in the area.

Looking ahead, Omya Kansas is set to begin further enhancements in 2025, building on the success of this initial phase. “This project’s successful completion is something to celebrate. But we have more improvements slated for next year, so the plant’s future is bright and full of good work,” Bergset added. The upgrades reflect Omya’s ongoing commitment to supporting agriculture and local communities in the Midwest while maintaining its reputation as a trusted global supplier.