thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology of thyssenkrupp Uhde has signed a contract with the Italian Group Saipem, a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, to license a urea granulation unit in Karratha, Western Australia.

The project in Karratha is being realized and built for Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers by a joint venture (50/50) comprising the Western Australian company Clough and the Italian company Saipem. Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers is a multinational company headquartered in Western Australia. Besides investing in fertilizer production, it specializes in supporting farmers with harvesting and food production.

thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology of thyssenkrupp Uhde will be responsible for the licensing, the process design package and for supplying the main equipment for Saipem’s urea project.

For this project, thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology has been contracted to supply two granulators and two exhaust air scrubbers for the urea granulation unit, which will be used for the manufacture of fertilizers. The granulation unit will have a total production capacity of 6,200 metric tons per day, made up of two identical trains with respective capacities of 3,100 metric tons per day each. The proven, licensed UFT® fluid-bed urea granulation technology is being successfully used in more than 70 plants in the fertilizer industry worldwide. This technology is one of the pillars of thyssenkrupp Uhde’s successful fertilizer portfolio.

Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers’ urea project will provide important impetus for the Western Australian economy by creating around 2,000 jobs during the three-year construction phase. On completion, the plant will create more than 200 permanent jobs in Karratha, Western Australia.

Dr. Cord Landsmann, CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde: “This project for Perdaman marks an important milestone that will further consolidate our position as a technology supplier in the fertilizer industry. We are proud to have been selected as the partner to supply our highly efficient urea granulation technology. With our proven UFT® fluid-bed urea granulation technology, we guarantee the production of a consistent top-quality product and, at the same time, strict compliance with environmental standards. We are pleased to be supplying the market with advanced technologies for fertilizer production and furnishing our global customers with the best solutions.”

Vikas Rambal, Chairman Perdaman said: “We are pleased to be building Australia's biggest downstream project, which represents a major investment in the Australian production sector. This state-of-the-art plant will contribute to Australia having a safe and reliable source of high-quality urea, thus supporting the farmers and food producers. The decision in favor of thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology as the technology supplier and licensor for this urea project not only speaks for the competence of thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology, but also for confidence in the ability of the company to supply reliable solutions for the fertilizer industry.”