Grodno Azot developing 12 projects to upgrade existing production facilities

<p> MINSK, Apr 9 - PrimePress. Belarus’ Grodno Azot chemical industry enterprise is drawing up 12 projects for upgrading the existing facilities within the framework of the 2030 development strategy. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Yevgeny Martinkevich, Deputy Head of Grodno Azot’s Prospective Development Service, made a statement to this effect in an interview published in the Belneftekhim corporate journal. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “In parallel with the construction of a new nitrogen complex, the modernization of the existing production facilities is also under consideration. Today the Perspective Development Service is formulating nine projects, and three projects are being implemented under the modernization map,” said Martinkevich. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, Grodno Azot plans to soon complete the commissioning of air separation units in the methanol shop. In May 2021, another project will be implemented, a unit for packing urea into big bags. “The reconstruction of the air separation units will upgrade the production facilities, improve reliability of air supply to the main shops of the enterprise and reduce specific energy consumption,” Martinkevich said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb 22, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko suggested Russia’s Gazprom should take part in modernizing nitrogen fertilizer producer Grodno Azot. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In 2014 the Belarusian government put up for sale a block of shares in Grodno Azot, with the following terms and conditions to be fulfilled by a potential investor: an initial payment of $414 million, investment of another $1.6-1.8 billion and an additional payment of at least $440 million to gain control of the plant. The potential investor also had to supply 2 billion cubic metres of gas annually to the mill. Gazprom abandoned the project because it believed the asset was overvalued. </p> <p>   </p> <p> A new nitrogen complex is planned to be built at the plant by 2025, which will double the plant's urea production capacity. The project is estimated at €1.3 billion. Earlier, Belarusian officials said they would provide this financing from the enterprises' own funds and credit resources. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The investment project on the construction of the nitrogen fertilizer production facility at Grodno Azot has been executed since 2018. Belneftekhim CEO Andrei Rybakov said in May 2020 that the general contractor, Tecnimont SpA (Italy), would complete the whole range of works in the form of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract (turnkey). </p> <p>   </p> <p> Grodno Azot has been operating since 1963. It was transformed into a joint-stock company in 2002. Khimvolokno OJSC was incorporated into the company in October 2011. Annual output of liquid technical ammonia totals 976,800 tonnes, carbamide – 945,000 tonnes, liquid nitrogen fertilizers – 720 tonnes, ammonium sulfate – 319,000 tonnes, industrial methanol – 80,000 tonnes, caprolactam – 121,200 tonnes, crystalline hydroxylamine sulfate – 3,300 tonnes, fatty acid methyl esters (biofuel) – 40,000 tonnes, highest quality carbon dioxide – 24,000 tonnes. End </p>

2021-04-10

Primepress