LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — As Nutrien Lima prepares for a scheduled plant shutdown later this year, company officials are informing the community about what to expect during the process.
Members of the Lima Rotary Club recently heard from Russ Decker, a fellow Rotarian and special projects manager at Nutrien, about the upcoming “turnaround” at the Lima facility.
The plant, which has been in operation since 1955, produces nitrogen, phosphate and potash — all essential components for agriculture. The turnaround, set to begin Aug. 1, is a planned shutdown that allows workers to safely perform maintenance, upgrades and enhancements.
“Turnarounds allow chemical plants and refineries the opportunity to do maintenance and upgrades at a time when it’s safer to work on the equipment because everything is down,” Decker said. “If we need to replace a pipe or make an enhancement, we can do it safely so that when we come back up in October, we’re a safer and more efficient plant.”
During the shutdown, residents may notice less operational noise from the plant, along with increased traffic as outside contractors arrive in the area.
Nutrien employs about 210 full-time workers at its Lima facility and expects to bring in nearly 1,200 contract workers during the turnaround period.
The influx of workers is expected to have a significant economic impact on the region. Decker said local hotels and campgrounds are typically fully booked, while restaurants and other businesses often see increased activity during plant shutdowns.
