CF Industries commissions ammonia, urea plants in Iowa

With this, total gross ammonia capacity at Iowa has increased to 1.2 MT from 380,000 tonnes

Toyo Engineering bags Chambal Fertilisers' $ 600 mn contract for fertiliser complex project

BS B2B Bureau Deerfield, Illinois (USA)

Last Updated : Jan 02 2017 | 5:20 PM IST

CF Industries Holdings Inc has successfully commissioned the new ammonia and urea plants at its Port Neal, Iowa (USA), Nitrogen Complex, marking the completion of the company’s capacity expansion projects.

The ammonia plant, which began production in late November 2016, has operated at approximately its nameplate capacity of 2,425 tonnes per day. The back end of the plant (ammonia synthesis) was recently taken offline to replace a gasket and is expected to resume production shortly. The front end of the ammonia plant continues to operate and produce carbon dioxide that is used to feed the new urea plant.

The urea plant, which was commissioned earlier this month, has produced on specification granular urea. The urea plant was also recently taken offline to replace a relief valve and is expected to resume production shortly as well.

“CF’s capacity expansion projects are complete. With projected returns significantly above our cost of capital, we have built the foundation for CF’s growth and greatly increased our cash generation capability,” said Tony Will, president and chief executive officer, CF Industries Holdings Inc.

Total annual gross ammonia capacity at Port Neal is now 1.2 million tonnes, up from 380,000 tonnes previously. Output from the new ammonia capacity will largely be upgraded to urea. Total annual urea capacity at Port Neal is now 1.4 million tonnes, up from 50,000 tonnes previously. Total annual UAN capacity remains largely unchanged at 800,000 tonnes.