$2bn fertiliser complex

Uhde has been commissioned to provide comprehensive licensing, engineering and supply services as part of a contract to build a $2bn fertiliser complex in Algeria.

Algeria’s SORFERT Algérie has commissioned Uhde to provide comprehensive licensing, engineering and supply services as part of a contract to build a large fertiliser complex in Arzew.

SORFERT Algérie is investing $2bn (£1.1bn)  in the new fertiliser complex, which will comprise two ammonia plants with respective production capacities of 2,200 tonnes/day and a urea plant with a production capacity of 3,450 tonnes/day.

The ammonia plant will be based on Uhde's proprietary ammonia process, while the urea plant will use Netherlands-based Stamicarbon's synthesis process.

The plant complex will also include offsites and auxiliaries, such as storage and shipping facilities.

Plant completion is scheduled for 2011.

SORFERT Algérie will use most of the 1.1 million tonnes per year of urea fertiliser and 750,000 tonnes of excess ammonia to serve the export markets.

Domestic sources of natural gas will be used as feedstock.