Polish energy group Orlen SA expects fertilizer subsidiary Anwil SA to have larger volumes of nitrogen fertilizers available for the spring 2024 fertilizer season following the completion of its new nitrogen fertilizer plant in Włocławek in Central Poland, according to a Sept. 27 press release on Anwil’s website.
Daniel Obajtek, Orlen CEO and President of the Management Board, said the new facility is at the “final stage of building,” and will limit the reliance on fertilizer imports and strengthen Poland’s food security. The plant is being constructed adjacent to Anwil’s two existing fertilizer production facilities, and was 97% complete in June (GM June 23, p. 30).
When fully operational, the new plant will increase Anwil’s fertilizer production capacity by roughly 50%, to 1,461,000 mt/y, adding four additional products to its portfolio, including ammonium nitrate (AN), ammonium sulfate nitrate, AN with sulfur, and CAN with magnesium.
Obajtek also reiterated Orlen’s interest in acquiring Grupa Azoty’s Zakłady Azotowe Puławy subsidiary and said an economic analysis of the potential acquisition is ongoing, according to a Polish News Agency report. The analysis is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Orlen and Azoty signed a cooperation and non-disclosure agreement in early June for the potential acquisition of the business unit (GM June 9, p. 1). Puławy is Azoty’s most profitable subsidiary, and its production includes ammonium nitrate and urea, as well as caprolactam and melamine.
Obajtek said the consolidation of Poland’s fertilizer producers is necessary, and he believes it will result in numerous synergies and “pay off in stabilization of prices.”