Abu Dhabi-based fertilizer producer Fertiglobe is working along with Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to set up an integrated phosphate complex in Ain Sokhna region.
The complex is targeting a production capacity of 1.3 million tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer annually, with commercial production to begin in 2031.
Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi reviewed the preliminary proposal with Fertiglobe CEO Ahmed El Hoshy and an accompanying delegation, reported Wam.
The minister also called for the completion of technical and economic studies covering the proposed technology, energy needs, and infrastructure required to establish the facility.
The two sides discussed accelerating the exchange of technical, geological and commercial information and completing the preparations needed to examine phosphate ore supply agreements. This work would help determine the project’s economic viability and implementation requirements.
To advance that work, Badawi directed co-ordination between Fertiglobe, the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), and other participants in Egypt’s mining sector to identify phosphate deposits that could supply the complex and assess the feasibility of long-term sourcing arrangements, stated the Wam report.
Badawi said the proposal supports Egypt’s efforts to generate greater economic value from its mineral resources by expanding domestic manufacturing.
Linking mining with industrial production would allow raw materials to be processed into higher-value products, supporting output, exports, and investment in industries that add value to local resources, stated the minister.
Beyond fertilizers, the meeting also examined a proposal to produce AdBlue locally using domestically available urea. The aqueous urea solution is used in vehicles equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and improve air quality.
The proposal also considers opportunities to expand the solution’s applications. Badawi requested a detailed technical and economic assessment, including production requirements and target uses, to establish its feasibility and determine the next steps, said the report.