In 2024, ICL-Amfert—one of the world’s leading producers of phosphate fertilizers—began building a new advanced facility in Mishor Rotem, in the heart of Israel’s Negev desert.
Due to the facility’s handling of sensitive chemicals, special emphasis was placed on safety and environmental protection. As the construction site is located in an untouched desert landscape rich with natural value, sustainability considerations were a central part of the planning, both to prevent hazardous leaks and to preserve the scenic desert views.
A Subterranean Facility, Hidden from Sight
To address these unique challenges, ICL-Amfert developed an innovative solution: building a fully underground and isolated complex.
This highly technical facility includes electrical and communication infrastructure, an advanced pipeline system for transporting chemicals, a water purification unit, and thermal energy conversion systems for generating electricity.
Notably, ICL-Rotem is proud to produce 80% of its electricity on-site from renewable sources.
Construction required excavating a massive pit to house the facility’s foundation and systems. And this leads us to perhaps the most exciting and forward-thinking part of the project: landscape restoration.
Seamless Restoration of the Desert Landscape
Anyone visiting the site during the early stages of construction would likely have been shocked by the sight of the enormous open pit—an apparent scar in the pristine desert.
During the first few months, the visual disruption intensified as infrastructure and pipelines were installed across the pit.
But then something remarkable happened:
Once the foundations and installations were complete, the restoration phase began. The entire facility was covered with soil and a natural desert top layer, completely concealing the industrial complex below.
The project was closely supervised by sustainability and environmental planning experts, and the results were astonishing.
Except for a few small ventilation shafts on the surface, it’s nearly impossible to tell that a large industrial phosphate facility lies beneath the serene desert floor.
From a wide aerial view, it seems as though no visual or ecological damage occurred. The original landscape has been preserved with minimal disturbance to wildlife habitats or native plant life.
Good Thing TimelapseIT’s Cameras Were There
As we said, today, it’s hard to spot the facility in Mishor Rotem. Fortunately, the project was documented using time-lapse photography, allowing you to witness this transformation yourself.
In June 2024, just after construction began, TimelapseIT, a company specializing in construction documentation, installed high-resolution time-lapse cameras on-site. For six months—between June and November 2024—the cameras documented every stage of construction.
The result? A breathtaking time-lapse video that showcases the full transformation of the Rotem landscape, beginning with excavation and ending with the re-naturalization of the desert terrain.
This kind of infrastructure achievement is one of the rare cases where only time-lapse photography can truly capture the scope, pace, and impact of the work.
And now, you’re invited to witness the journey for yourself.
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