LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Many Allen County residents pass by the Nutrien Lima facility every day without realizing the role it plays in agriculture and the production of common household items.
Representatives from Nutrien spoke to the Lima Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the company’s operations and its mission of “feeding the future.”
Special Project Manager Russ Decker explained that the Lima plant is part of Nutrien’s global network and has operated in Allen County under different names since 1955. The facility focuses on the production and distribution of agricultural products and supports farmers through ag retail operations.
Decker said the Lima plant manufactures ammonia, urea, nitric acid and diesel exhaust fluid, but many consumers may not realize how those products are used in everyday items.
“We make a number of products at the plant. We start with ammonia, but then we also make urea, nitric acid, diesel exhaust fluid,” Decker said. “But some of the things that some of the products that our products are in, the people may not think about is insulin for diabetics. It might be some batteries or even sticky notes. Our urea help make sticky notes sticky.”
Company officials also reminded residents about a major turnaround project scheduled to begin in early August and continue through mid-October. The planned maintenance and upgrades represent a $145 million investment into the Lima facility.
The project will bring approximately 1,200 additional workers to the area during the turnaround period. Decker said shift changes will occur around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., which is expected to increase traffic near the plant.
Residents are being asked to avoid or limit travel on Fort Amanda Road near the facility and on Dixie Highway near the former Westinghouse parking lot between 5 and 7 a.m. and again between 5 and 7 p.m. due to the expected congestion.
