In a statement to investors, Compass Minerals announced that it “has decided to wind down its fire retardant business, Fortress North America,” as “part of a larger strategic refocus to improve the profitability of the company’s core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses.
As previously reported, the Forest Service declined to purchase Fortress aerial fire retardant for the 2024 wildfire season, citing “significant signs of corrosion in air tankers using Compass’ magnesium chloride-based aerial fire retardants.”
The Forest Service had indicated that it would await a “coordinated, independent assessment” before making a final decision about using the Fortress product, which was touted as “a cleaner, safer and eco-friendly alternative to the ammonium phosphate chemicals that have been the industry standard for the last six decades.”
Fortress’ setback with the Forest Service, a subsequent drop in stock value, and an ensuing class-action lawsuit likely contributed to Compass Minerals’ decision to dump its fire-retardant business.
Photo: A plane drops Fortress magnesium-chloride-based fire retardant on the 2023 Rabbit Fire in California (photo by Marty Wolin via Fortress North America).
