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Nitrogen+Syngas 397 Sep-Oct 2025

15 September 2025

Coal based fertilizer and methanol plant proposal

SOUTH AFRICA

Coal based fertilizer and methanol plant proposal

Suiso, a South African company specialising in blue ammonia production, is set to invest $1.7 billion in a coal-to-fertiliser facility in Kriel, Mpumalanga in the east of South Africa. The proposal is for a 1.5 million t/a ‘blue’ ammonia-urea plant which will replace South Africa’s annual imports of 1.2 million t/a of urea, as well as producing 235,000 t/a of blue methanol for fuels, using advanced decarbonisation and carbon capture technologies. Suiso is partnering with Sinopec Ningbo Engineering, Stamicarbon, and ETG – the latter will distribute Suiso’s fertilisers across Africa, supporting local agriculture and long-term food security.

“This is more than a fertiliser project,” says Suiso founder Paul Erskine. “It’s a commitment to South Africa’s economic empowerment, food security, and sustainable development. With global partnerships, innovative technologies, and a focus on community upliftment, we are set to redefine the agricultural and economic landscape of the sub-continent.”

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.