Algerian press reports that Yara International ASA of Norway has signed agreements to invest in a $2 billion ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitrogen fertilizer factory in Algeria. Yara will share ownership in the facility with Asmidal, part of Algeria’s state-owned Sonatrach.
Norway is also partnering with Qatar in constructing a $3.5 billion ammonia plant in Hadjar Essed, and a phosphoric acid factory in Oued Koubrite, in northeastern Algeria near the border with Tunisia. The plants are planned for service in 2017.
Asmidal’s current annual production capacity includes 1 million mt of ammonia; 825,000 mt of ammonium nitrate; 240,000 mt of UAN; and 800,000 mt of phosphate fertilizer.