Koch Fertilizer, Wichita, reported on Aug. 16 that it is planning a $30 million optimization project at its Dodge City, Kan., nitrogen plant to increase UAN production by 35,000 st/y.
“We are dedicated to being our customer’s long-term supplier of choice by providing the products they value most,” said Scott McGinn, Koch Fertilizer Executive Vice President. “This project will increase production to meet growing UAN demand locally, as well as across western Kansas and eastern Colorado.”
Koch said the project will further improve the facility’s reliability, as well as environmental and safety performance, through equipment and process upgrades.
“This investment strengthens the long-term vitality of the Dodge City site,” said Paul Liddle, Dodge City Plant Manager. “We continue to find ways to enhance our reliability and productivity, while using fewer resources and respecting the environment, which benefits our employees, our customers, and the community.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2023, and the optimized processes are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. While Koch does not discuss specific production capacities at its sites, Dodge City approximate capacities include ammonia 300,000 st/y, UAN 230,000 st/y, and ammonium nitrate 100,000 st/y, according to Green Markets data.
“This investment reflects Koch Fertilizer’s commitment to continued growth and reinvestment in our plants,” said McGinn.
The Dodge City investment follows three recent Koch Fertilizer expansion projects, which totaled $380 million and included Beatrice, Neb.; Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Enid, Okla. (GM Feb. 11, p. 1). The $90 million Beatrice project was completed in 2021 and added 75,000 st/y of UAN capacity.
The $140 million Fort Dodge and $150 million Enid projects are on schedule to be completed this year. The Fort Dodge project will add 85,000 st/y of ammonia capacity, while Enid is expected to allow the company to produce an additional 300,000 st/y of downstream products (urea, DEF, SuperU®, and UAN).