Skip to main content

Fertilizer International 526 May-Jun 2025

OCP Nutricrops unveils nine million tonne production boost


MOROCCO

OCP Nutricrops unveils nine million tonne production boost

OCP Group subsidiary OCP Nutricrops has announced a major investment to expand its phosphate fertilizer production capacity by nine million tonnes by 2028.

The company will achieve this by developing two new mining and industrial hubs in Morocco, at Mzinda in Youssoufia and Meskala in Essaouira, respectively. These will incorporate cutting-edge ‘Industry 5.0’ technologies, artificial intelligence and automation, according to OCP Nutricrops.

The two new production centres will also run exclusively on renewable energy (solar and wind) and consume non-conventional water sources, such as desalinated water and treated wastewater. The adoption of a modular, scalable design also means their production output – principally triple superphosphate (TSP) – can be adjusted in response to fluctuating market demand and the needs of farmers worldwide.

“These facilities, integrating cutting-edge technology and sustainability principles, will progressively increase fertilizer production capacity by 9 million tons by 2028 (notably TSP and TSP+), with 4.5 million tons expected as early as 2026,” OCP Nutricrops said in a statement.

The newly announced investment forms part of OCP’s strategic programme for Mzinda-Meskala (SP2M). This is designed to significantly increase OCP Group’s production capacity while strengthening its competitiveness and commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040.

To help deliver the expansion programme, OCP Nutricrops is working with key partners, such as Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), INNOVX, and JESA, to develop local and international partnerships in green energy, the circular economy and Industry 5.0.

Latest in Africa

Electrolyser contract signed for green ammonia project

Chinese companies Sungrow Hydrogen and CRRC Zhuzhou say that they have secured electrolyser supply contracts for the first phase of a geothermal-powered hydrogen and ammonia project in Olkaria, Kenya, developed by Chinese firm Kaishan Group. Kaishan signed a steam supply agreement with state utility KenGen in October 2025, under which KenGen will supply steam from existing geothermal wells for Kaishan to generate 165MW of electricity to power the electrolysers. Chinese firm Wuhuan Engineering is serving as engineering, procurement and construction contractor. Works on the site began in November 2025.

MoU for green ammonia hub

Abu Qir Fertilizers & Chemicals, Alexandria Fertilizers, Orascom Construction SAE, and Green Hydrogen Development Holding, a subsidiary of China’s United Energy Group (UEG), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a Mediterranean green hydrogen hub in Alexandria. The proposed project would centre on a large-scale green hydrogen facility powered by wind and solar, with output integrated into existing ammonia infrastructure in the region. Under the agreement, UEG and Orascom will lead feasibility studies covering 500 MW of renewable energy generation and green hydrogen production, while Abu Qir and Alexfert will assess integration into ammonia operations and support access to local infrastructure.

Green ammonia project advances into FEED phase

Egypt’s $873 million green ammonia project in New Damietta has entered the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase, with pre-FEED studies for the marine jetty and hydrogen plant already completed, Zawya reported 7 April, citing a statement by the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM). The project is being developed by Damietta Green Ammonia (DGA), a joint venture between Norway’s Scatec, ECHEM and Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO). FEED work on ammonia export facilities is ongoing, while major permits and financing arrangements are still being finalised.