IFA launches AI-enabled global safety initiative
Paris, France, December 18, 2025
The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) launched the NextGen Safety Project, a global, AI-enabled initiative aimed at improving safety performance across the fertilizer industry.
Endorsed by the IFA Board of Directors, the project will analyze ten years of safety incident data to identify the most harmful accident types and their root causes. It will also assess high-impact safety technologies, including AI video analytics, robotics, drones, sensors, and virtual-reality training, and deliver practical tools for IFA member companies worldwide.
The initiative is the first industry-wide effort of its kind, combining artificial intelligence, human-factors expertise, and direct engagement with member companies to reduce accidents and fatalities. The project includes a review of IFA’s core safety materials, the development of decision-support tools for evaluating safety technologies, and the launch of a multilingual safety chatbot providing members with access to training and best practices.
“The NextGen Safety Project represents a major step forward for the fertilizer industry,” said IFA Chief Executive and Director General Alzbeta Klein. “By combining a decade of global safety data with advanced AI, we will deliver actionable insights and tools that can prevent injuries and save lives.”
More than 50 safety leaders from IFA member companies will participate in the project to validate findings, prioritize solutions and ensure applicability across different operating environments, from multinational producers to regional operators.
Ken Seitz, President and CEO of Nutrien and Chair of IFA, stated that the initiative reflects the industry’s commitment to enhancing global safety standards.
“Safety is a core value across our industry and without it, nothing else we achieve matters,” Seitz said. “This project brings together experience, technology, and a shared determination in our pursuit of eliminating serious incidents.”
As part of the program, AI models will review incident reports submitted by IFA producer members to identify the most harmful incident categories, underlying hazards, human-factor contributors and the effectiveness of existing controls.
Tony Will, President and CEO of CF Industries and Immediate Past Chair of IFA, said the project focuses on tools that companies can deploy immediately.
“This is about taking practical action to reduce risk and strengthen safety culture across the industry,”
Will said.
The founding sponsors of the NextGen Safety Project include CF Industries, Fertiglobe, GPIC, ICL, IFFCO, Indorama, IRM, ITAFOS, The Mosaic Company, Nutrien, SQM and Yara International.
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About the International Fertilizer Association
Founded in 1927, IFA is the only global fertilizer association, representing over 500 members across more than 80 countries. IFA is committed to promoting efficient, responsible production, distribution, and use of plant nutrients - essential to feeding the world sustainably. IFA convenes fertilizer producers, traders, distributors, startups, research institutions, and NGOs to shape the future of global food systems.
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IFA contact information
Media contact: Yvonne Harz-Pitre, Director, Public Affairs and Acting Director, Communications, IFA yharzpitre@fertilizer.org
+33 7 76 82 90 36
