Enid, Okla.-Koch Nitrogen Co. LLC said July 14 that it has broken ground on a multi-million dollar control center at its nitrogen plant here. This is the first of several planned capital projects at the largest fertilizer plant owned by Koch. “Today is a very exciting day for our company, as this new control center will allow us to take a more streamlined approach to our business,” said Steve Packebush, Koch Nitrogen president. “However, it is important to note that this new control center is a cornerstone for our future plans, a first step to lead the way for an additional $20 million-plus in capital expenditures in coming years.” Koch says the new center will allow the various plant units and employees to better communicate by combining three separate control rooms into one. The new control room, which is expected to be fully operational in 2012, will allow the plant facility to be fully automated. The control center will account for approximately $4 million of the $20 million in expenditures, according to the Enid News and Eagle. “By adding this control center, we will not only reduce energy and water use, we will also enhance overall plant reliability while simultaneously increasing its efficiency,” said Mike Kleis, plant manager. “We are thrilled to move forward on this project and to improve the plant’s long-term competitiveness.” The center will be housed in a new 10,000 square foot building, with construction to begin later in July. Koch’s Enid plant employs 100.
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