Global fertilizer group EuroChem has signed an early works contract with Italian engineering contractor Maire Tecnimont for a new urea and ammonia complex in Kingisepp, northwest Russia. Under the terms, Maire Tecnimont will perform preliminary engineering and site survey work at the brownfield location adjacent to EuroChem’s existing plants.

The contract provides for subsequent extension into engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work, Maire Tecnimont said, providing that EuroChem’s investment plans go ahead as planned. The complex will have a capacity of about 3,000 t/d ammonia and 4,000 t/d urea. A proposed start-date has not been given.

“We are pleased to take the next step forward considering building this world-scale plant with Marie Tecnimont, a company that we have worked with closely for many years,” said Petter Østbø, EuroChem’s CEO. “Expansion of production facilities is a strategic goal for us and reinforces our growing position in the fertilizer industry.”

In June this year, EuroChem opened an ammonia plant at the Kingisepp site. The plant, called EuroChem Northwest, has a capacity of 1 million t/y, making it the largest single-train production capacity in Europe, the fertilizer group said.

EuroChem said it has invested $1 billion in the past three years to develop the facility, which has a design capacity of 2,890 t/d.  The ammonia output supplies the company’s other fertilizer plants in Antwerp, Belgium, its Lifosa subsidiary in Lithuania and at Phosphorit, its adjacent phosphate fertilizer facility in Kingisepp.  About 25% of the total output is sold to third parties.

Maire Tecnimont also provided EPC activities on EuroChem Northwest, which is based on KBR’s proprietary Purifier ammonia process.