NEW DOMESTIC MINERAL FERTILIZER PRODUCER EMERGES IN UKRAINE

Ukrainian Mineral Fertilizers (UMF) has launched a new production complex in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, specializing in ammonium-sulphate-based nitrogen sulphur fertilizers. The new facility will be able to provide up to 100,000 tonnes of the finished product to Ukrainian farmers annually. Investments in the project totalled $11 million.

‘Our company is studying and creating opportunities in key sectors of the Ukrainian economy to enable environmentally friendly production with higher added value and a smaller environmental footprint. Ammonium sulphate crystals are a valuable metallurgical by-product that can be turned into fertilizer. For many years, they have been exported to such countries as Turkey, Bulgaria, and Serbia for processing and then re-imported to Ukraine to satisfy demand from local agricultural companies. Recycling Solutions set up a domestic production facility in Kryvyi Rih to process ammonium sulphate crystals into the ready-to-use granulated product. Our plant not only upholds the values of the circular economy by recycling the by-products of industrial processes but also reduces the footprint of their transportation across the world,’ pointed out Dmytro Anufriev, CEO of Recycling Solutions.

The development of the agricultural sector has become one of Ukraine’s priorities. On the back of the explosive rise of agricultural production, mineral fertilizer consumption has been showing dynamic growth (by 6–10% year-on-year) for over 20 years. However, quite the opposite is the case with mineral fertilizer production.

‘Built back in the Soviet time, these plants cannot compete with foreign producers. It’s not only that they need modernization, it’s that we need new modern facilities that would use state-of-the-art technology to make competitive products. Launching a new mineral fertilizer complex, UMF takes the first step in that direction,’ said Oleksii Afanasiev, CEO of Ukrainian Mineral Fertilizers.

The new complex uses an energy-efficient and environmentally safe compacting-based technology to make granulated fertilizers. It runs the latest state-of-the-art equipment from Hosokawa Alpine, a Japanese-German holding with over a century-long history in the field, and a multilevel quality control system for raw materials and the finished product. All quality assessments are made in the in-house laboratory. In its granulated fertilizer production, the facility uses Ukrainian raw materials sourced from multiple suppliers with guaranteed contracted volumes.

‘We take global best practices and apply them to Ukrainian realities. Our plant makes hard multi-component fertilizers tailored to the needs of specific regions, soils, cultures, and climatic conditions. Agricultural producers worldwide have to take into account environmental factors while drawing up their process flowcharts. The technologically advanced third-generation fertilizers marry minimal environmental impact to high efficiency. The fertilizers we make are geared toward satisfying the needs of present-day agriculture. Starting next year, we will broaden our product range and expand capacities to start making Ukrainian third-generation fertilizers,’ emphasized Oleksii Afanasiev, CEO of Ukrainian Mineral Fertilizers.

The high quality of the product and the absence of toxic substances and impurities therein have been proven by SGS, an international provider of inspection, verification, testing, and certification services, as well as Ukrainian laboratories and scientific institutes. Also, UMF was the first to start using Galoryl, a French anti-caking agent that enables prolonged storage of fertilizers during the off-season.

Ukrainian Mineral Fertilizers’ products are available in all regions of Ukraine and can be delivered anywhere in the country by road or railway transport. The fertilizers are shipped in 900 kg big bags. The producer also practises a case-by-case approach to working with clients.

‘We emphasize not only production but also consumer experience, too. With credit programmes from major Ukrainian banks available (FUIB, OTP, Raiffeisen Bank Aval), we can work with payment deferrals of up to 12 months. And repaying the credits in the first six months means major savings for farmers. Besides, UMF continues to develop its extensive warehouse network in Ukraine and can produce fertilizer batches on an individual basis to meet the client’s needs,’ said Serhii Ruban, CMO of Ukrainian Mineral Fertilizers.

UMF has created 72 workplaces and paid over UAH 9 million in taxes to the local and state budgets since its establishment.