In 2017, Acron Group presented a revised development strategy through 2025, based on maximising the existing production potential.
The development programme includes several highly efficient projects at Acron and Dorogobuzh with relatively moderate capex and short payback periods. The compatibility of projects provides flexibility for future investments and allows the Group to keep its debt burden under control. The strategy caters for the consumers by expanding its product range and distribution network.
In 2018, the Group launched active construction at the Talitsky potash mine. This project will complete Acron Group’s vertical integration for the three key elements—nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium—and will make Acron one of the most competitive NPK producers in the world.
The strategy is expected to deliver the following results by 2025:
- Increased capacity and output, expanded product portfolio
- Higher efficiency due to processing of surplus ammonia and apatite concentrate
- Start of production of own potash feedstock, complete vertical integration (2026)
- Significantly broader distribution and stronger presence in the key markets
In 2018, as part of its distribution development strategy Acron Group commenced supplying UAN to European markets through its new trading company, Acron France SAS. In 2018, the Group also established offices in Brazil and Argentina.
Key Investment Projects
| Project | Production increase per year
| Status |
| Acron (Veliky Novgorod) | ||
| COMPLETED PROJECTS | ||
| Increasing capacity of Urea-5 unit | 50 kt of urea
| Completed in 2018 |
| Construction of Urea-6 unit | 210 kt of urea
| Completed in 2018 |
| Construction of three nitric acid units, upgrading equipment at AN units | 500 kt of AN | Completed in 2019–2020 |
| Construction of urea granulation unit | 700 kt of granular urea | Completed in 2020 |
| Increasing capacity of Ammonia-4 | 90 kt of ammonia | Completed in 2020 |
| Comprehensive upgrades to Urea-6 unit (Urea-6+) | 520 kt of urea | Completed in 2021 |
| Construction of CN unit | 100 kt of CN | Completed in 2022 |
| Increasing capacity of Urea-6 unit, construction of the second urea granulation unit | 175 kt of urea
700 kt of granular urea | Completed in 2023 |
| PROJECTS UNDERWAY | ||
| Increasing capacity of Ammonia-3 unit
| 230 kt of ammonia
| To be commissioned in 2024 |
| Increasing capacity of Ammonia-2 unit | 210 kt of ammonia | To be commissioned in 2025 |
| Construction of the second CN unit | 135 kt of CN | To be commissioned in 2025 |
| Increasing capacity of Urea- 1–4 units (including new CO2 compressor) | 355 kt of urea | To be commissioned in 2025 |
| Increasing capacity of NPK unit | 102 kt of NPK | To be commissioned in 2026 |
| Dorogobuzh | ||
| COMPLETED PROJECTS | ||
| Equipment upgrades at ammonia unit | 130 kt of ammonia | Completed in 2019 |
| Equipment upgrades at ammonia unit | 54 kt of ammonia | Completed in 2023 |
| Construction of nitric acid unit and equipment upgrades at AN units | 180 kt of AN | Completed in 2023 |
| PROJECTS UNDERWAY | ||
| Equipment upgrades at main existing production units and systematic increase of ammonia, AN and NPK capacity | ||
| Phosphate feedstock at the Oleniy Ruchey mine | Apatite concentrate output up to 1.5 mn t by 2027, with further increase to 2 mn t | In progress
Gradual expansion of underground mine output |
| Potash feedstock at the Talitsky mine | 2 mn t of potassium chloride capacity with further increase to 2.6 mn t | In progress
Mining to start by 2026 |
Read more in About the Group and Annual and ESG Reports sections.