Pieter Burger of Westfert in Hoopstad says they decided to erect the dome so that they have the capacity to take advantage of favourable global conditions. 

One example he cites is that they will now be in a position to purchase input ingredients such as urea in bulk at a time when exchange rates and prices are at their most favourable.

The engineer on the project, Hentie Park, says it has definitely been a challenge to design and erect the structure.

“The structure is 116 meters wide and 152.25 meters in length and covers approximately two hectares.

“It is a free standing structure, which means there are no supporting pillars within the structure. This means you can fit two Airbus 380s inside the building without them touching anywhere – an Airbus 380 is the biggest passenger aeroplane in the world at the moment.”

According to Park, the dome will hold about 200 000 tons of fertilizer and is the fourth largest such structure in the world. It is expected to be completed in the next four months.

OFM News