Lithuanian phosphate fertilizer producer AB Lifosa, a subsidiary of EuroChem Group AG, now expects to restart production in December – albeit at reduced capacity, according to a Bloomberg report on Nov. 7, citing a company statement.
Lifosa’s main product is DAP, with a production capacity of some 1 million mt/y.
Local media last week, citing the company’s temporary administrator, Rimvydas Vaštakas, reported that Lifosa aimed to restart operations in mid-November (GM Nov. 4, p. 34 ).
According to this week’s Bloomberg report, Lifosa has reached “an interim agreement with the government-appointed administrator” that had led to the lifting of some supply restrictions. Operations will restart in December at reduced capacity if supplies (such as ammonia) can be secured immediately.
The Lithuanian producer halted production in mid-September due to the sudden rise in natural gas prices and a shortage of ammonia GM Sept. 16, p. 29; Sept. 9, p. 28).
Lithuania’s only ammonia producer, AB Achema, suspended operations at the beginning of September due to a sharp increase in natural gas prices, but resumed one ammonia production line and one urea production line on Nov. 1, with plans to resume production of other fertilizer products.