URALCHEM and Stamicarbon will develop a New Technology for Urea Production

URALCHEM signed a joint technology development agreement for the synthesis of urea with Stamicarbon, the world's top developer and licensor of urea processes.

Moscow, Russia (December 2, 2013) -- URALCHEM, a leading Russian producer of nitrogen fertilizers, signed a joint technology development agreement for the synthesis of urea with Stamicarbon, the world's top developer and licensor of urea processes.

The agreement should result in the creation of a new technology that will be available for commercial use globally. It is being built on both Stamicarbon's intellectual property and URALCHEM's research cooperation with the Moscow State University Department of Chemistry. URALCHEM has been working with the MSU Dept. of Chemistry on the concept of 100% CO2 conversion since 2008. The new technology will allow producing higher quality urea with less capital expenditure.

Within this joint project, URALCHEM will build, at its Perm Mineral Fertilizers site, a pilot unit designed by Stamicarbon, using the new technology. Subject to the positive evaluation of the pilot plant operations, Stamicarbon will proceed to the basic design of a commercial scale plant.

"This is one of those unique examples in modern Russian history in which a prominent western engineering company utilizes scientific findings of Russian fabricators and academic institutions", noted Valeriy Lunin, Dean of the Moscow State University Department of Chemistry, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilizers in Russia. URALCHEM, OJSC is the world's #2 and Russia's leading ammonium nitrate producer.

Stamicarbon B.V., the licensing and IP Center of Maire Tecnimont, is the global market leader in licensing of urea technology and services with more than 50% market share in synthesis and 32% market share in urea granulation technology. Stamicarbon has more than 65 years' experience in licensing its urea technology and services, delivering optimum environmental performance, safety, reliability and productivity at the lowest investment level. Over 260 urea plants are using its technology. In addition, it has completed over 90 revamp projects in Stamicarbon and non-Stamicarbon plants. Since 1947, Stamicarbon has been the world's leading authority and innovator in the field of urea in close co-operation with research institutes, suppliers and customers. Stamicarbon has offices in Sittard (The Netherlands), Beijing (China) and Moscow (Russia).

The Chemistry Department of the Moscow State University is a world-known center for Chemistry education. Chemistry education at the University started from 1755, the year it was founded. The Department of Chemistry includes 17 university chairs, 83 laboratories. 1048 students and 283 postgraduates, that study at the Department. 11 Full members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 corresponding members and 202 professors holding PhD and Doctoral Degrees in Chemistry are now preparing students to become high class specialists in modern Chemistry.