UCC Shchekinoazot launches methanol and ammonia co-production plant licensed by Haldor Topsoe

• United Chemical Company Shchekinoazot inaugurated a methanol and ammonia co-production plant on September 7, 2018, in the Tula region of Russia.
• The new plant can produce 450,000 tons of methanol and 135,000 tons of ammonia per year and is based on Topsoe’s IMAP™ technology.
• This is the third unit built at Shchekinoazot under license from Topsoe.

"We are glad to congratulate Shchekinoazot on the launching of the methanol and ammonia co-production plant. This is a major milestone, the result of work done by highly-skilled Shchekinoazot specialists and a huge team of Topsoe professionals," says Amy Hebert, Deputy CEO and EVP, Chemicals, Haldor Topsoe A/S.

IMAP™ (Integrated Methanol and Ammonia Production) technology uses an efficient process scheme that minimizes both capital expenditure and operating expenses as the conventional CO₂ removal and CO shift sections are not necessary. The UCC Shchekinoazot co-production plant is the first in the world to produce more methanol than ammonia.

"This project is a result of a long-term fruitful collaboration between our companies," continues Amy Hebert.

Collaboration between UCC Shchekinoazot and Topsoe dates back to 2007 when the construction of the first methanol plant started – it was launched in 2011. In 2012, a hydrogen unit with the capacity of 26,000 Nm³/hr was built and commissioned. All three units use state-of-the-art Topsoe solutions adapted to the needs of UCC Shchekinoazot.

UCC Shchekinoazot is currently implementing their third methanol production plant under Topsoe license with a capacity of 500,000 tons of methanol per year. The groundbreaking ceremony also took place at the official event on September 7.