
Sulphur fertilizers – the processes, the products
Mark Brouwer of UreaKnowHow.com reviews the main production options for incorporating sulphur into urea
Mark Brouwer of UreaKnowHow.com reviews the main production options for incorporating sulphur into urea
NextChem subsidiary Stamicarbon has been selected to provide the process design package to upgrade the Hulunbuir New Gold Chemical Co., Ltd.’s urea plant in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, using its proprietary NX STAMI UreaTM technology. The upgrade will integrate Stamicarbon’s EVOLVE MELT MP flash design to enhance operational efficiency and reliability while minimizing process steam consumption. Following the upgrade, the plant’s capacity will be increased by about 26% to 3,600 t/d, with an expected high-pressure steam reduction of 15%.
Maire Group says that its nitrogen fertilizer technology licensor Stamicarbon has been awarded new contracts related to its NX STAMI UreaTM technology in Canada. The first award is a process design package and the licensing of an integrated urea and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) production plant currently being developed by Genesis Fertilizers, a farmer-owned consortium, at Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan. The plant will have a urea melt capacity of 2,500 t/d, with operations expected to begin by 2029. Also thanks to a carbon capture and sequestration unit, it will be the first proposed low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer plant in Canada. Stamicarbon will apply its proprietary flash urea melt technology to enhance operational efficiency and reliability while minimising process steam consumption. The plant will also include a DEF facility with a production capacity of 1,500 t/d.
Hulunbeier New Gold Chemical Co has selected Stamicarbon to revamp a urea plant in Hulunbuir, northeastern Inner Mongolia.
A foundation laying ceremony attended by Qatar’s Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani has been held at Qafco’s new blue ammonia facility at Mesaieed Industrial City on Qatar’s east coast. The plant, which is scheduled to be completed in 4Q 2026, will be the largest blue ammonia facility in the world. Speaking at the ceremony, energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said the facility will have a capacity of 1.2 million t/a, along with CO2 injection and storage facilities with a capacity of 1.5 million t/a. QatarEnergy will also provide the new plant with more than 35 MW of electricity from the solar power plant currently being built in Mesaieed. Completion of the complex will see Qatar become the world’s largest exporter of urea, producing 12.4 million t/a, according to Qafco.
The production of urea, a critical component in the fertilizer industry, involves highly corrosive environments, particularly in the high-pressure sections of the process. This necessitates the use of advanced materials that can withstand such aggressive conditions to ensure long life and efficiency of urea production plants. Alleima, Stamicarbon, Saipem and TOYO report on their advanced material and equipment solutions for the urea industry.
Latin America has become a desirable destination for green ammonia projects. This is linked to the region’s abundance of relatively inexpensive renewable energy, and large-scale fertilizer demand from a growing, high-value and import-dependent agricultural market. Ahead of Fertilizer Latino Americano 2025, Fertilizer International discusses regional green ammonia project prospects with leading players ATOME, Casale, Atlas Agro and Stamicarbon.
Stamicarbon, in collaboration with KT Tech, has developed a cryogenic energy storage system, named GALCES , for green ammonia plants that addresses the intermittency challenges of renewable energy supply. The technology not only supports the sustainability goals of the ammonia production industry but also contributes to broader energy market stability and efficiency.
Casale, Saipem, Stamicarbon & Toyo Engineering Corporation showcase a selection of innovative technologies that have recently been brought to the market.
Industry focus on technologies to reduce the carbon intensity of ammonia and methanol production has been intensifying. In this article thyssenkrupp Uhde, Proton Ventures, Toyo Engineering Corporation, Stamicarbon, BD Energy Systems and KBR report on some of their latest technology developments towards decarbonisation.