adminnitrate fertiliser in Zimbabwe.
At its peak, Sable supplied ammonium nitrate fertiliser to both the domestic and foreign markets but due to a number of constraints, the company is now failing to meet even domestic demand.
Chemplex Corporation chief executive officer Mr Misheck Kachere said the refurbishment that was completed within a month would not increase capacity utilisation.
“Sable Chemicals has completed its tri-annual plant shutdown and maintenance and we have since re-commissioned the plant. It is quite an expensive exercise; about US$1 million could have been used,” Mr Kachere said.
“The refurbishment will not increase production. The plant will continue to operate at 40 percent. The exercise was meant to reduce the risk of breakdowns, making the plant more reliable only.”
Mr Kachere said just nine out of the 14 electrolysis units were operational.
“Capacity utilisation will remain the same because nine out of the 14 electrolysis units are working,” he said.
To produce the hydrogen required for manufacturing ammonia (one of the two raw materials used in manufacturing fertiliser), the company runs the largest electrolysis plant in the world, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Mr Kachere said the plant was currently producing 8 000 tonnes of ammonium fertiliser per month against an installed capacity of 20 000 tonnes per month.
“Last year we produced 60 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser and this year we are targeting 80 000 tonnes if all goes well,” he said.
With the plant having an installed capacity of 240 000 tonnes annually, the country has to import ammonium nitrate fertilisers from countries such as India, China and Russia to close the gap. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter