Koch Fertilizer said on Sept. 5 it is evaluating a construction project to increase urea production at its plant in Enid, Okla., to 1.8 million st/y. Currently, Koch Fertilizer is in the project engineering phase. Construction on the proposed project is anticipated to begin at the end of 2020, with startup occurring in 2022.
Koch said it submitted a construction air permit application on Sept. 5 to increase ammonia upgrade capabilities due to changes in the distribution system and to better serve the growing demand for upgraded nitrogen products.
“Our customers continue to increase consumption of upgraded products, like urea and enhanced efficiency fertilizers,” said Scott McGinn, Koch Fertilizer Executive Vice President. “We are committed to serving our customers, and this investment will enhance our ability to provide them with the nitrogen products they need by adding additional production flexibility at the Enid plant. Koch Fertilizer made a significant investment in the plant a few years ago, and we’re excited about the possibility to further expand our Enid operations through this new project.”
While Koch did not confirm current urea capacity at Enid, it did say the facility currently supplies in excess of 1.5 million st/y of ammonia upgraded products (urea, DEF urea solution, SUPERU® fertilizer, and UAN.) Current Enid urea capacity is estimated at approximately 1.283 million mt/y, according to Green Markets data.
Koch began an earlier $1 billion upgrade at Enid in 2013 (GM May 20, 2013), with plans to increased upgraded nitrogen capacity by approximately 1 million st/y. In 2013, the Green Markets estimate on urea capacity was 573,000 st/y. Koch said on Sept. 5 that since the new proposed project is currently in the engineering stage, there is not enough detail to estimate the construction spend.
The Enid facility was constructed in 1974 and was purchased by Koch in 2003 as part of the Farmland Industries Inc. bankruptcy. Koch has made major investments thereafter.