EuroChem signs EPC contract with Chinese CNCEC for construction of fertilizer complex in Kazakhstan

MOSCOW. May 14 (Interfax) - EuroChem and China National Chemical Engineering Co. (CNCEC) have signed a contract for the design, construction and commissioning of a complex for the production of mineral fertilizers in Kazakhstan, EuroChem said.

The complex's capacity will be over 1 million tonnes of fertilizers and industrial products per year. Production is scheduled to start in 2027.

The construction of the complex is the next stage in the development of the EuroChem site in the city of Zhanatas (Zhambyl region, southern Kazakhstan), where a mining and processing complex operates based on the deposits of the Karatau phosphorite basin. Construction of a sulfuric acid production facility has also begun at the site, which is planned for launch in 2026.

The total investment in the development of the site, including those already made, is estimated at more than $1 billion.

"Products from the new complex will be in demand both in Kazakhstan and in other countries in Central Asia, as well as in Russia, China and European countries," CEO of EuroChem, Oleg Shiryaev, said.

The technology employed by the new enterprise will eliminate the usual phosphogypsum waste occurring as a result of this type of production, and replace it with environmentally friendly synthetic gypsum and calcium chloride, which is used for the production of building materials and as reagents for the road, coal and oil industries, EuroChem said.

CNCEC is one of the largest construction and design companies in the world. In China, CNCEC is a key player in the development of the chemical industry, implementing 90% of the country's chemical production projects and more than 50% of its oil refining and petrochemical projects.