Western Australian multinational group, Perdaman Industries (Chemicals & Fertilisers), is developing a $4 billion urea fertiliser plant north-west of Karratha WA.
Urea, widely used in agriculture to promote plant growth and increase crop yields is the most commonly traded nitrogenous fertiliser. It is non-toxic, has a high nitrogen content and can be easily transported and stored.
The company has chosen the Saipem Clough Joint Venture, comprising Saipem S.p.A and Clough Projects Australia Pty Ltd, as the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the plant.
The state-of-the art facility will be the largest urea plant in Australia, with a capacity of two million tonnes of urea a year. It will include the urea fertiliser plant and related facilities such as:
- a water treatment plant
- a power plant (100MW)
- storage
- loading and unloading.
A closed conveyer will transport the urea seven kilometres to the Pilbara Ports Authority for shipping to local and offshore markets. Perdaman expects about 50 to 100 shiploads a year.
The company is committed to making the urea plant net carbon zero by 2050.
Incitec has signed a 20-year offtake agreement with Perdaman Industries (Chemicals & Fertilisers) to buy all the of urea the plant will produce.
The joint venture is working with ICN WA and will release work packages throughout the project.
The construction and operation of the Perdaman urea fertiliser plant will generate significant economic opportunities for Western Australia. According to Perdaman, the company expects to create about 2,000 jobs including 200 permanently at the plant, fostering regional economic growth and supporting local businesses.
In a press release announcing the EPC contract, Perdaman’s Chairman Vikas Rambal said the milestone was strong example of economic diversification.
“The company is pleased to be part of job creation for the state and is privileged to be a part of the manufacturing initiative project in WA again, and we are very thankful to the federal government for the continuous support,” he said.
Once the project is complete, Perdaman will be Australia’s leading fertiliser producer.
For more information on the project, go to the Perdaman website. To register for updates, or submit an expression of interest, visit the Perdaman Project Gateway page.
