The association, whose founding members are the companies Azufrera y Fertilizantes Pallares, S.A.U., Julio Cabrero y Cía. Products AJF, S.L.S.L., was created to defend the interests of its members and to promote the use of sulfur in a wide range of industries, such as agriculture.
Sulfur stands out for its multiple applications in agriculture, especially as a phytosanitary product thanks to its fungicidal and acaricidal properties for crop protection. Sulfur powder is a substance that favors the natural optimization of the plant’s defense mechanisms, thus generating a gradual and lasting improvement of its immune system. In addition, this type of sulfur is one of the substances whose usability is expressly included in the European Union Council Regulation 889/2008 on organic production and labeling of organic products, with regard to organic production, labeling and control. Its use is, therefore, highly recommended for the phytosanitary treatment of those agricultural productions that have an official organic certification.
However, despite its numerous and proven benefits, there is growing concern within the sector regarding the restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food on powdered sulfur for dusting (DP) following its registration under the Uniform Principles. In contrast, sulfur for dusting is registered throughout Europe and recognized worldwide without any restrictions whatsoever, as evidenced by the more than 100 registrations in various countries around the world held by our country’s sulfur-producing companies.
In this context, the non-profit Sulphur Association was founded to defend the interests of companies that produce powdered sulfur, as well as those of users of products made from this raw material. The organization is backed by Spain’s leading sulfur producers—Productos AJF, S.L., Julio Cabrero y Cía. S.L., and Azufrera y Fertilizantes Pallares, S.A.U. —and its objectives, among many others, include promoting the use of sulfur in various sectors where this raw material has immense potential for application, such as agriculture; conducting studies on its applications, use, and impact; actively participating in public policy and decision-making processes; and acting as a representative body in dealings with the government.
Representatives of the recently created association have pointed out that “sulfur has been a key product in agriculture since its beginnings in Roman times and currently there are sulfur-based phytosanitary products registered in 1976. During all these years it has proven to be a sustainable product for the environment and highly effective against mites and powdery mildew in a wide variety of crops, highlighting the vineyard“. “It has never presented resistance and it is a natural mineral that we find every day in nature, being the most sold phytosanitary product in Europe and the world, and Spain is the world’s largest power in terms of production capacity“, they add.
About Sulphur Association
The Sulphur Association, established in 2019, is an organization that brings together Spain’s leading sulfur producers. Its objectives include promoting the use of sulfur in various sectors where this raw material has immense potential for application, such as agriculture, and acting as a representative before public authorities to defend the interests of its members.
In order to achieve these goals, Sulphur Association will carry out actions such as the organization of training sessions and congresses on sulfur, collaboration with universities and technology centers in studies on this raw material, promoting a stable and fluid communication flow with public administrations (public-private collaboration), and carrying out advertising campaigns in Spain and the European Union on the benefits of sulfur, among other actions.
