SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company has approved a major expansion of its fertiliser production capacity in Saudi Arabia, giving the green light to an industrial complex that will increase its annual urea output by 54% and strengthen its position in global agricultural markets.
The company’s Board of Directors has approved the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project, with Samsung E&A Co., awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.
The complex will feature an ammonia plant with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tons, alongside two urea plants with a combined capacity of 2.6 million metric tons a year. It will also include a carbon capture unit designed to support lower-emissions production.
The ammonia plant will use technology from Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, while the urea plants will deploy technologies from Stamicarbon and thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology GmbH. The carbon capture unit will use technology from Shell Global Solutions International.
Once operational, the expansion will lift SABIC AN’s annual urea production capacity from 4.8 million to 7.4 million metric tons — a 54% increase over current levels. The additional capacity is expected to strengthen the company’s ability to meet growing global demand and seize opportunities in key target markets.
Beyond boosting output, the project incorporates carbon capture and emissions-intensity reduction technologies aimed at lowering the carbon footprint of its products.
The move aligns with SABIC AN’s sustainability and carbon neutrality ambitions while reinforcing its push to compete globally in low-carbon industrial solutions.
Fahad Al-Battar, SABIC AN CEO, commented, "The project represents a key pillar of the SABIC AN’s 2040 growth strategy and contributes to achieving its sustainability and carbon neutrality targets. Through this expansion project, we aim to secure reliable and sustainable supplies for our customers, maximize value for our shareholders, contribute to realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and support global food security."
The project also supports Saudi Arabia’s broader industrial and economic ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030, while positioning the company to play a larger role in meeting the world’s fertiliser needs.
Commissioning of the plants is expected in the third quarter of 2030, with commercial production anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of the same year.
