A pair of fertilizer production facilities in Poland have reportedly closed their doors, at least temporarily, because of the exorbitant cost of natural gas and other fuels.

Record-breaking prices for fuel all across Europe forced Grupa Azoty, the European Union’s second-largest fertilizer producer and the owner of one of the plants, to halt operations. The company issued the following statement on August 22:

“Due to record prices for natural gas, the main raw material for Grupa Azoty SA’s production, the company decided on August 22, 2022 to temporarily shut down its nitrogen fertilizer, caprolactam and polyamide 6 production plants from August 23, 2022.”

“Although there are no problems with the availability of gas, the current situation on the gas market, which determines the profitability of production activity, is exceptional and completely beyond the company’s control.”