Yara Expands Porsgrunn Fertilizer Plant
- The expansion will increase capacity by 50,000 tons of NPK and 200,000 tons of calcium nitrate annually.
- The investment is worth USD 350 million and construction will be completed by 2017.
- The project will optimize production in Norway and Finland, adding 150,000 tons of annual NPK capacity.
- New technology will improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Expansion Details
Already one of the largest fertilizer plants globally, the Porsgrunn plant is expanding to increase its capacity by 50,000 tons of compound NPK and 200,000 tons of calcium nitrate annually. This investment, worth USD 350 million, was approved by Yara’s Board on 21 October, with construction expected to be completed by 2017.
Production Optimization
In addition to the increased production at Porsgrunn, the investment will optimize production at Yara’s Glomfjord and Uusikaupunki sites in northern Norway and Finland, adding a further 150,000 tons of annual NPK capacity. The increased production capacity will match the entire Norwegian consumption of fertilizer, around 400,000 tons annually.
Environmental Benefits
The project includes a new nitric acid plant and innovative technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kilo of product, improve energy efficiency, and reduce waste. This follows the Enova Project concluded this summer at Yara Porsgrunn, which reduced energy consumption by 225 GWh annually.
Operational Efficiency
For Yara Porsgrunn, operating in a cost-intensive country like Norway, it is crucial to find ways to produce more efficiently while maintaining safety as the top priority. The planned expansion and the concluded energy efficiency program are examples of these efforts. This investment also signifies a growing onshore industry in Norway, traditionally known for its offshore oil and gas sector.