Metafrax and Casale ink contract for a new Ammonia-Urea-Melamine complex

PJSC Metafrax, one of the major Russian chemical companies, and Casale, a leading technology licensor in syngas and fertilizer production, are pleased to announce the signature of a contract for engineering, equipment supply and construction management of a large chemical complex, to be implemented in Gubakha, Perm region (Russia).

Under the terms of the contract, Casale will act as Technology Licensor and EPCm contractor for the realization of the entire project, which consist of the following units, based on Casale proprietary technologies and know-how:

• One new 894 MTD ammonia synloop, using N-ELEVA technology, operating on pure hydrogen and nitrogen feedstock.
• One new 1’725 urea plant, incorporating Split Flow® and Full Condenser® technologies.
• One new 40’000 MT/year melamine plant, using LEM® technology.

The new complex will be completed by a Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) unit for the recovery of hydrogen from the purge gas of the existing methanol plant, to be utilized as feedstock for the new ammonia synloop, and a Carbon Dioxide Recovery (CDR) unit, designed according to MHI technology, which will recover 1’200 MTD of CO₂ from the methanol plant reformers, to be utilized as feed for the urea plant.

All these features make the project a unique example of a closely integrated production chain, starting from methanol up to urea and melamine.

The whole complex  is slated be completed in 36 months.

The project is a result of PJSC Metafrax’s business strategy, initiated 20 years ago, which, in a series of steps and always adopting Casale technologies, has boosted the methanol plant capacity from 2500 MTD to 3375 MTD (+35%). The latest step consisted in debottlenecking the methanol plant’s front end by installing a new methanes Partial Oxidation (POX) unit section in parallel to the existing reformers.

This project is another milestone in PJSC Metafrax’s history of continuous improvement of its position in the European market whilst, for Casale, it is testimony of its new position of global contractor, brought about by Casale’s recent acquisitions, which have broadened both its portfolio of technologies and its engineering skills.

Mr. V. Daut, General Director of Metafrax commented: “We decided to proceed in partnership with Casale because we saw a big advantage in having one single licensor for ammonia, urea and melamine, – in combination with their deep knowledge of our existing methanol plant. We believe that, with its big experience in all kind of revamp, Casale will realize optimal technical solutions for integrating the new units of the Complex into our existing methanol plant”.

“We are very proud to have been selected by one of the most prestigious chemical companies in Russia to help them fostering their growth through widening their product mix and toward becoming one of the most important players in the Russian market”, said Mr. Federico Zardi, CEO of Casale.