OREANDA-NEWS. Novomoskovsky Azot Joint Stock Company has started the upgrade of compound fertilizer (CF) production facility to produce calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) at a rate of up to 400,000 tonnes per year.

The investment project has been approved by the EuroChem Board of Directors, and is worth over RUR 400 million.

The CF facility designed by PEC, France, was commissioned in December 1969. Since then most process equipment has come to the end of its service life.

The technology and engineering for the project is developed by SNC-Lavalin, Canada. The upgraded facility will produce a wide range of products based on ammonium nitrate and calcium and magnesium carbonate alloy.

CAN (containing not more than 28% N) is a non-explosive product and one of the most efficient general-purpose nitrogen fertilizers applicable to all types of soil to grow any agricultural plant. CAN is beneficial both for crop yield increase and crop quality improvement.

The project will involve the upgrade of three process flows for granulation, drying, and screening including granulation drums replacement; assembly of ammonium nitrate solution concentrating unit; upgrade of the end-product cooling line; installation of a new automated process control system; upgrade of aspiration and polluted air treatment circuit; and a series of other important upgrade initiatives.

The project will continue through to the end of 2007, and is expected to result in the company's product mix expansion to fully respond to the customers' needs.