Lifosa continues to develop: a modern, new fertiliser plant has opened

The Kėdainiai phosphorus fertiliser production company Lifosa has implemented a strategic development project: a plant has opened that will produce a new, completely water-soluble fertiliser - crystalline urea phosphate. Lifosa has invested over 14 million euros in the construction of its new plant. Through the implementation of this investment project, 26 new jobs have been created.

 

 

"Kėdainiai is an important industrial centre for Lithuania, and Lifosa is an unrivalled leader in this industrial field and is an active and responsible member of the community. We consider that the company's investment in this development and to job creation is a significant contribution to the further prosperity of the region. At the same time, we have no doubt that both the new plant and our modern factory will continue to help promote both the city and our country around the world," said Saulius Grinkevičius, Mayor of Kėdainiai District.

 

 

The new production department will produce up to 25 thousand tonnes of crystalline urea phosphate each year. According to J. Dastikas, CEO of AB Lifosa, the plant is extremely modern, compact and efficient. Also, due to the manufacturing technologies applied there, the department has almost no negative effect on the environment.

 

"The activities and products of the new department will further strengthen Lifosa's position in the global fertiliser market. At the same time, the construction of the plant is an investment in the sustainable development of the company: the department employs the most advanced technologies to make the work performed there extremely environmentally-friendly. We constantly aim to protect our environment by rationalising the use of natural resources and energy, and we are consistently trying to achieve this goal in most of the Lifosa investment projects," said J. Dastikas.

 

 

The investment project, which consists of a production department for crystalline urea phosphate and raw materials and a warehouse for pre-packaged goods, is worth EUR 14.2 million. In September, some production tests were carried out and test product batches were produced. The plant will become fully operational in the fourth quarter of this year.

 

The crystalline urea phosphate produced in the new department is a soluble, chlorine-free fertiliser that does not include heavy metals. Urea phosphate is used in agriculture for fertilising various soils and is suitable for outdoor and garden crops. By applying this fertiliser through capillary irrigation systems, plants are supplied with the necessary nitrogen and phosphorus, while the capillaries of the irrigation systems are purified and protected from various salts and sediments. This further prolongs the life of the irrigation systems.

 

According to the AB „Lifosa" general director, the crystalline urea phosphate  is a relatively new product on the world market. However, the demand for it is certain and the company predicts that the investments will pay off in six years.

 

 

The words of the head of the company J. Dastikas are further confirmed by the colleagues from "EuroChem Agro GmbH". Its representative Michael Schäfer, Category Manager Premium Products Europe, has participated at the opening ceremony of the workshop and said that he anticipates great sales results for the new product.

 

"Last year we have begun selling another product, which was new for us at that time - the water soluble monoammonium phosphate fertilizers. Although we have met difficulties during the first month, the sales of the monoammonium phosphates soon started to increase and we have managed to export these fertilizers to the markets of 29 countries worldwide. Our customers were very pleased with the quality of products, produced by "Lifosa". This successful experience allows us to expect similar results with the water soluble urea phosphate sales", - noted M. Schäfer.

 

 

The implementation of the project has taken a year, during which time Lifosa cooperated with specialists from foreign and Lithuanian companies. The design work was carried out by an Iremas branch called Projektų centras. The general contractor for the construction work was AB Montuotojas Panevėžys branch, while other construction work was carried out by UAB Daimena. The electrical installations were installed by UAB Indastrus.

 

As one of the most advanced European factories, Lifosa consistently invests in advanced technological solutions and innovations that help to save on natural resources and expand the range of new, more efficient, greener and high value-added products. In 2017, a plant that produces high quality soluble monoammonium phosphate fertiliser started operations. Within one year of the initial production, the product has been exported to 29 markets worldwide.

 

This year, Lifosa has modernised and expanded its compressed air production system. This investment in an innovative solution has led the company to quadruple the reduction of its energy consumption for producing compressed air, contributing to Lifosa's goal of saving energy and natural resources.

 

Since 2002, AB Lifosa has belonged to the Swiss-registered EuroChem Group AG. It is an international company and one of the world's largest mineral agrochemical companies. The group's production, logistics and trading companies operate in many parts of the world and include over 26 thousand employees.