Fertilizantes Heringer S/A’s quality control is carried out by a team of quality inspectors andassistants at a laboratory located in the production unit of Paulínia/SP. The laboratory controls the quality of the production processes in each branch of the group, through its solid structure and cutting-edge weighing system, to ensure the production of high-quality and reliable products.
Fertilizantes Heringer S/A has a strict and efficient system of sample control and traceability, encompassing the use of well-defined standards for identification, creation of plans, control lots, issuance of reports and certificates of chemical and physical analyses. Every process is updated and audited, so that the best possible results are reached in all activities. The commitment of all employees involved is essential for good work and client satisfaction.
QUALITY OF MATERIALS
All materials that enter the production units are properly identified and stored. Then, in compliance with the official sampling methodology under the Brazilian legislation, samples are collected for submission and counter samples, which are identified and stored in an organized manner. Samples of stored raw materials are collected weekly. This process is important to obtain the actual and updated contents of the materials used in formulations. For finished products, samples are collected daily and in accordance with the number of formulas and lots produced in the work shift. They are controlled through production lots.
After the samples are collected and properly identified, they are split: the sample is homogenized and four aliquots are taken from the total sample – one for pre-grinding, one as counter sample (stored for at least two months), one for grain-size analysis, and one for analysis of granule hardness, only for raw material samples. After splitting, by using a set of meshes, a grain-size analysis is made to evaluate whether the sample is within the specifications of grain size, under the legislation in force.
Simultaneously with grain-size analysis, the sample aliquot intended for the quality control laboratory is pre-ground; the aliquot is taken from 1kg of pre-ground sample, in order to reduce segregation effects. The sample is entirely ground in a grinder and then split again; an aliquot is set aside for chemical analysis, and the rest of the sample is discarded.
Activities are carried out in accordance with strict quality standards, to comply with the legislation and to provide excellent samples.
QUALITY AT THE PORTS
As part of its efforts for ongoing improvement, and to increasingly enhance the quality of its products, Fertilizantes Heringer S/A has been implementing new programs for inspection of imported raw materials. The company strategically monitors unloading procedures in the main ports of the Brazilian territory.
The group currently has partnerships with outsourced companies and quality inspectors working to monitor the unloading at port units. The activities performed in this part of the process are significantly important for the entire quality control process of the branches.
MSDS
The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of the fertilizers produced by Fertilizantes Heringer are developed in accordance with the current regulations. The use of the information in these MSDS, as well as the conditions of use of our fertilizers are not under the control of Fertilizantes Heringer. Users are responsible for determining and controlling the conditions of safe use of fertilizers.
Access the MSDS of our main raw materials and finished products. For other inputs, please send an email to GrupoQualidade@heringer.com.br containing the product’s order number.
LABORATORY
The laboratory is in the city of Paulínia/SP, and its structure complies with safety and environmental technical standards. In the laboratory, approximately 900 chemical formulas are determined daily, and during crops of beans, it can double this number for several types of analysis: primary and secondary macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as physical analyses related to mineral fertilizers, always in compliance with the rules of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA).
The development department aims at continuously improving both existing products and products that are being developed. Research is conducted every day for innovation, always seeking a competitive edge in the market concerning soil products, fertirrigation, and also foliar feeding.
The laboratory is duly registered with the regulatory bodies – Regional Chemistry Council (CRQ), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and Bureau Veritas, which certifies the ISO 9001:2008. It is authorized to verify compliance of the fertilizers and soil acidity correctors as to nutrients and presence of chemical contaminants. To that effect, the laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment and highly-skilled employees to make high-quality and reliable determinations, in full compliance with all quality control requirements.
To ensure the reliability and safety of its activities, the laboratory is part of the Inter-Laboratory Program of Analysis Methods (PIMA), developed by the National Association for Fertilizer Diffusion (ANDA), aiming at qualifying, monitoring and developing a process for ongoing improvement of laboratory activities.
MAPA’s legislation must be strictly complied with for reliable analytical results to be obtained. The process begins with sampling and preparation of fertilizer samples for analysis; then, different analytical methods are employed to ascertain the quantity of each chemical compound present in each mineral fertilizer, whether it is a finished product or raw material. Right after that, the results to be released are evaluated, and a technical report is issued for analysis certification.
In this entire process, participation of the employees is essential in every stage of the analysis of finished products and raw materials. The laboratory team strives to make analyses quickly and effectively, ever since the receipt of samples, creation of control and traceability plans, grinding, chemical analyses, and programs for research and development of new products. All that in compliance with the Brazilian rules and regulations in force, striving to offer products that meet the clients’ needs, avoiding any losses and return of products, and contributing to optimize the production of new formulations of mineral fertilizers and the foliar line, and fertirrigation.