Comprehensive coverage of the global fertilizer industry
Sulphur
Extensive and independent coverage of the global sulphur and sulphuric acid industries
Nitrogen+Syngas
Unrivalled technical and market coverage of syngas and its derivatives
Advertising
Advertise your company and products on our website or print editions

Latest from BCInsight
Feedstock allocation for fourth phosphate plant
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) says that the Ministry of Energy has approved the allocation of feedstock for its fourth phosphate project. This project aims to produce approximately 1.1 million t/a of ammonia and increase the production of phosphate and specialty fertilizers by about 2.5 million t/a, raising the company’s total production capacity to nearly 12 million t/a. This will further solidify Ma’aden’s position as one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate fertilizers, according to a company statement. Ma’aden will now commence engineering studies and obtain the necessary approvals.
Syria restarts Sharqiya phosphate washing and drying plant
Syria restarted a phosphate production site in Homs province after a decade-long shutdown, according to local media reports 25 November. The washing and drying facility is part of Syria’s Al-Sharqiya mine. The Syrian government has indicated that it plans to increase its presence in global phosphates market as part of efforts to support the country’s economy.
SRU commissioned at Petrobrazi refinery
Romanian oil and gas group OMV Petrom has commissioned a new sulphur recovery unit at its Petrobrazi refinery, near the southern city of Ploiesti. Development work on the new SRU began in 2023, and represents the second at the site, treating acid gas produced during the refining process. The euro 45 million investment is part of euro 2 billion of improvements that have been made over the past 20 years as part of the company’s strategy to modernise its refining capabilities, aiming to reduce environmental impact. Last year, the company said it would invest around euro 750 million to build several sustainable fuel plants at the refinery, which are expected to become operational in 2028.
Financing in place for Hail and Ghasha
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), working in partnership with Italy’s Eni and Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production, has completed a structured financing transaction of up to $11 billion for its huge Hail and Ghasha sour gas development. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC’s Managing Director and Group CEO, commented: “This landmark transaction builds on ADNOC’s successful track record of global energy partnerships and unlocks capital to drive progress at Hail and Ghasha, one of the world’s most ambitious offshore gas projects. The exceptional demand from over 20 leading global and regional financial institutions reinforces confidence in ADNOC’s value creation strategy, innovative approach to financing, and expertise in delivering mega projects. Hail and Ghasha is an important contributor to ADNOC’s gas strategy and is on track to generate significant value for ADNOC, our partners, and the UAE, while unlocking important new gas resources for our customers.”
Metso to supply copper smelter
Metso says it has won a €180 million order for the delivery of engineering and key process equipment for a new primary copper smelter investment at an undisclosed location in Asia. The planned production capacity of the copper smelter complex is 300,000 t/a of copper cathodes and 1.1 million t/a of sulphuric acid, based on licensed Outotec® Flash Smelting, PS Converting and Lurec® technologies. It includes the design and supply of key process equipment for the main areas of the smelter complex, and the gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plant, copper electrolytic refinery, and precious metals refinery. The delivery also comprises site services and spares.
Phosphate investment deal
Syria’s Geological and Mineral Resources Authority has signed an agreement with Teryaq, a subsidiary of Serbia’s Exlixir Group, aimed at exporting 1.5 million t/a of phosphate by the end of 2026. The agreement marks a significant step in Syria’s efforts to expand international partnerships and optimise its mineral resources for economic gain. Elixir Group owns the largest phosphoric acid plant in Europe and operates three fertilizer plants in Serbia.
Ecovyst sells AMC to Technip
Ecovyst Inc, a provider of sulphuric acid, sulphuric acid regeneration services and catalyst activation services, has announced today that it has completed the sale of its Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment to Technip Energies. The company expects net proceeds after taxes and transaction expenses to be approximately $530 million.
Sphere to buy stake in HPAL project
Australia’s Nickel Industries is to sell a 10% share of the Excelsior Nickel Cobalt high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) project in Indonesia to South Korea’s Sphere Corp. The $240 million price tag represents a $2.4 billion valuation for the company. Sphere will acquire the stake from Hong Kong-based Decent Resource, while Nickel Industries will retain its 44% stake in the project, according to Nickel Industries.









