Ammonia (1973) ICI schools film UK industrial production - Haber process

A schools film made for Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) detailing the industrial production of Ammonia.

BFI catalogue: Describes the process for making ammonia, and the uses of ammonia in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, plastics and fibres. Ammonia is a vital component of many fertilizers, and the Haber process for making ammonia is described with animated diagrams and film on location. While the uses of ammonia in the manufacture of explosives (illustrated by a mining sequence filmed in Western Australia), plastic and fibres are described, the film emphasizes that its main importance is in the manufacture of fertilizers for increasing the world's food supply. It also looks at some of the important research being undertaken, both in Britain and in developing countries, to improve the yield of crops. A film intended for schools.

This original 16mm print is in very poor condition with many damaged perforations. The transfer of this film was made in short sections and edited together afterwards. One section was so damaged that it was impossible to copy, so an old VHS recording was used for this part. Luckily this is a Technicolor print, so no colour correction was required.