Ice melt availability for 2014-15 is an industry-wide concern. Departments of transportation, institutions, commercial properties, retailers, property management services and homeowners are stock piling ice melt products at double last year’s costs in preparation for the shortfalls that are certain to lie ahead.

Unlike milder years, leftover inventories are virtually non-existent. The number and frequency of accumulating snow storms in early 2014 exhausted supplies and left many scrambling for alternatives; including urea, which is illegal to use as an ice melt in many states because of its tendency to run into and pollute watersheds.

When the first storm hits in the upcoming winter season, pipelines will need to be primed with fresh supplies, taking an immediate toll on the annual allotments of mined substrates needed to blend the product.

The mineral mines extract only a pre-determined quantity of the ice melting ingredients annually. When the quota is reached, they stop mining. And with manufacturers having blended all their raw ingredients last year, it is the perfect storm for an early shortage.

Currently, industry experts estimate a six million ton raw ingredient shortage. That’s 12,000,000,000 (twelve billion) pounds in layman’s terms. While our intent is certainly not to panic anyone, we do want all of our customers to be prepared for a winter that could be a repeat of last year. Be prepared with ice melt supplies for your home, business and automobile.