OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2009. EuroChem opened Russia’s first granulated urea shop at EuroChem subsidiary NAK Azot (Novomoskovsk, Tula oblast).  The reconstruction of the Urea-3 shop at NAK Azot increases the shop’s capacity by 31% from 1,525 to 2,000 tonnes of granulated urea/day, and increases NAK Azot’s overall urea capacity by 17% (from 2,727 to 3,200 tonnes/day).  The launch of the rebuilt Urea-3 shop marks the completion of a RUR 2.5 bn capital expenditure program aimed at introducing the new fluidized bed granulation fertilizer technology to Russia.

The main advantages of granulated urea are its high durability, long shelf life and better agrochemical properties compared to traditional urea. The new fertilizer is in high demand in Western Europe and North America.

The launch of granulated urea production in Novomoskovsk makes Russia the fifth country in the world to mass produce this product, after the USA, India, Canada and Egypt.  Once NAK Azot reaches full capacity in 2010, EuroChem will have an estimated 5 percent of market share in global sales of this product.

Much attention was paid to the environmental aspects of this investment project: during the construction stage, the new technology was awarded the “Best Innovative Environmental Project in Tula Region." A new water recycling system from Switzerland-based Urea Casale will reduce contaminant levels in waste water 250-fold (2 mg/l vs. 500 mg/l), urea dust emissions will be decreased by 64%, and ammonia gas emissions by 36%.

The launch ceremony for the new Urea-3 line coincides with NAK Azot’s 76th anniversary.