Russian fertilizer producer PJSC PhosAgro, Moscow, reported on Feb. 2 that its production of fertilizers increased to a record 11 million mt in full-year 2022, up from 10.31 million mt in the previous year, a year-over-year increase of nearly 7% (GM Dec. 23, 2022; Feb. 11, 2022).
PhosAgro CEO Mikhail Rybnikov said the production increase was achieved “in the face of external challenges” and the company maintained uninterrupted production, quickly redirected exports to new markets, and made a significant contribution to Russia’s food security by providing the country’s farmers with eco-efficient fertilizers.
Rybnikov said the company plans investments of nearly RUB67 billion (approximately $955 million at current exchange rates) this year.
He reiterated that PhosAgro’s most important project in 2023 will be when the phosphate-based fertilizer production facility in Volkhov in Russia’s Leningrad region reaches capacity. The company launched the first stage of MAP production at the new complex in March 2021, and under the original project plan was targeting ultimate capacity at the site of some 774,000 mt/y (GM March 12, 2021).
The CEO also said the implementation of the large-scale program for the development of the company’s ore and raw material resources in Kirovsk will continue, where the second start-up complex for the 10th horizon at the Kirovsky mine is expected to come online by the end of 2023.
In Cherepovets, in addition to the projects to support capacities for the production of ammonia, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid, PhosAgro plans to increase the processing of phosphate rock.
In Balakovo, the company said it is going to complete projects to increase the production of feed phosphates and sulfuric acid by the end of the year. Rybnikov added that PhosAgro will also be starting the third stage in the development of the Balakovo production facility by establishing a flexible arrangement for the production of MAP/DAP/NPS/NPK fertilizers this year.