CF Fertilisers will be investing around £40 million in its manufacturing facility, the biggest investment for 20 years. The project will create over 100 temporary jobs during its execution over the next two years, following two years of record outputs building on the 100-year heritage fertiliser manufacturing at the site.
We are now the only company manufacturing high quality Ammonium Nitrate in the UK with our iconic blue bags a feature on farms up and down the country, said CF Billingham site manager Keith Brudenell. Since CF Industries took a 100% holding in the site in 2015, demand has grown considerably, and we are now developing the plant to keep pace with this and meet the challenges of the future.
The investment will be divided into two projects to improve the infrastructure and production capabilities of the site, with the development of other facilities and equipment on the list as well.
The first priority is a £15.75 million project to upgrade and rationalise the Billingham high voltage electricity distribution network including replacement of switchgear on the Ammonia plant and upgrading those on the fertiliser production units, explained Brudenell.
The second project includes a £15.5 million upgrade to the Ammonia reforming plant that will extend its life by 20 years. This will involve replacement of the steam reforming equipment and gas transmission piping on the high temperature part of the plant and our aim is to complete the upgrade by 2020, added Brudenell.
Apart from these two projects, CF Fertilisers will also invest £8 million to replace a range of equipment in one of its acid plants to improve reliability and meet the growing demand.
Keith Brudenell commented on the project, saying: It will allow us to continue the long history of Ammonia and fertiliser manufacture at Billingham and make sure we are in the best shape possible to look after the needs of all our employees and customers as we approach our 100-year anniversary in 2023.
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
