Fertilizer International 516 Sept-Oct 2023
30 September 2023
People
People
Gustavo Horbach is EuroChem Group’s new Head of South America with responsibility for operations and strategic business development in the region. Gustavo was previously EuroChem’s VP for upstream production and investment projects in South America. He has been with the company since 2021.
In his new role, Horbach will lead on EuroChem’s assets and operations across the region. He will also ensure delivery of the company’s strategic growth plan. EuroChem claims to be the fastest growing fertilizer company in South America, having invested over $1.5 billion in the region since 2016.
One of Gustavo’s major priorities will be to complete and commission the large-scale Salitre project, a phosphate mining and production complex located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the first quarter of 2024.
Salitre is expected to meet 15 percent of total Brazilian phosphate fertilizer demand when it is completed.
“Brazil is the food basket of the world, and key to global food production and security. I’m pleased to be taking the lead in EuroChem’s South America operations and am committed to the Group’s vision of growth in the region. We will seek to efficiently consolidate the assets we already own, not losing sight of potential market opportunities and ensuring that our capital investments – notably Serra do Salitre – come into operation in a solid and reliable manner,” Gustavo Horbach said.
Horbach is a civil engineer with postgraduate degrees in business administration and project management. He brings to EuroChem more than 20 years of leadership experience at global organisations. His past responsibilities have included industrial operations and complex capital projects in the petrochemicals, oil and gas, fertilizers, mining and energy sectors.
Welcoming the appointment, Don Lambert, EuroChem’s CEO for the Americas, said: “The scale of EuroChem’s investment in South America, clearly demonstrates our commitment to supporting Brazil and the agricultural sector in the region. Gustavo has delivered some significant achievements in his time in EuroChem, leading the mining and production project in Serra do Salitre, which – at 75 percent completion – is ahead of schedule, and achieved with outstanding safety records. Gustavo shares our vision and is the right choice to lead our South America business which will enable us to expand our strategic focus on the region and accelerate our growth plans.”
Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand is Yara International’s new EVP for corporate development. Magnus was previously the CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia and will retain this responsibility until his successor is appointed. Prior to 2021, Ankarstrand held various other company roles, including SVP Yara North America and CFO of the industrial segment. He was also Yara’s director of strategy and business development. Before joining Yara, Magnus worked for The Boston Consulting Group and served in the Royal Norwegian Navy. He holds a degree from The Norwegian School of Economics.
Yara has also named Jorge Noval as EVP & CEO Yara Industrial Solutions. He joins the company’s executive board alongside Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand. Jorge was previously President, Yara Industrial Solutions.
“Magnus and Jorge both bring extensive experience to the Group Executive Board and represent areas which are key in our strategy execution. I am delighted to welcome them both onto the team,” said Svein Tore Holsether, Yara International’s president & CEO.
Eriez has appointed Richard Murray as its global flotation service director. He will be responsible for overseeing and expanding the company’s global flotation aftermarket and service business. Mr Murray brings to Eriez a wealth of international expertise from his previous experience at Metso Outotec.
“Richard’s career contributions have had a tangible impact in Australia, South America, South Africa, the Middle East, China, India, and North America, highlighting his outstanding ability to navigate and thrive in diverse regions,” said Eric Wasmund, Eriez Vice President-Flotation.
