SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company (SABIC AN) has officially approved the Final Investment Decision (FID) to build a major new ammonia and urea industrial complex in Saudi Arabia, awarding the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to Samsung E&A.
The facility will feature an ammonia plant with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tons powered by KBR technology, along with two urea plants yielding a combined 2.6 million metric tons annually using technology licensed from Stamicarbon and thyssenkrupp Uhde.
Crucially for the group’s decarbonization targets, the complex will also incorporate a large-scale carbon capture unit using Shell Global Solutions technology to minimize operational emissions intensity.
The expansion will boost SABIC AN’s total urea production capacity from 4.8 million to 7.4 million metric tons per year – a 54% surge over current operational levels. The company aims to leverage the increased volume to satisfy rising global market demand while lowering the overall carbon footprint of its product portfolio.
Aligning Growth with Net Zero and Saudi Vision 2030
By embedding CCUS directly into the plant’s operational design, SABIC AN is positioning the facility as a core pillar of its broader corporate strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and deliver low-carbon chemical solutions to international buyers.
“The project represents a key pillar of SABIC AN’s 2040 growth strategy and contributes to achieving its sustainability and carbon neutrality targets,” said Fahad Al-Battar, CEO of SABIC AN.
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“Through this expansion project, we aim to secure reliable and sustainable supplies for our customers, maximize value for our shareholders, contribute to realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and support global food security.”
Commissioning for the complex is scheduled for the third quarter of 2030, with full commercial production anticipated to begin in Q4 2030.
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