Minister Arkab Initiates 2.4-Million-Tonne Phosphate Complex

Minister Mohamed Arkab initiated the construction of a new integrated chemical phosphate fertilizer complex by laying its foundation stone at Oued Kebrit in Souk Ahras province. This development marks a significant step, establishing the complex as the inaugural link in Algeria's integrated phosphate value chain. The facility is projected to achieve an annual production of approximately 2.4 million tonnes of phosphate fertilizers in its initial phase, alongside 570,000 tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers and various intermediate chemical products.

The Oued Kebrit complex holds strategic importance for Algeria, serving to transform enriched phosphate from the Bled El Hadba mining hub into higher-value industrial products. This project is central to strengthening the local processing of national mineral resources and expanding the domestic fertilizer industry. It aims to meet the needs of the national agricultural sector, thereby enhancing food security and contributing to broader industrial integration across the phosphate value chain.

Beyond its primary output, the complex is designed to manufacture various phosphate fertilizers, including DAP, MAP, and NPK, as well as urea and essential intermediate chemicals such as sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, and ammonia. The construction efforts are being undertaken by an Italian company, Saipem, utilizing an "EPC Fast Track" model intended to expedite completion. Algerian companies, specifically Sonatrach subsidiaries like SARPI, GCB, and GTP, are also actively participating in this large-scale endeavor, underscoring a collaborative national and international effort. Minister Arkab was accompanied by other high-ranking officials, including Ministers Mourad Hanifi and Abdelkader Djellaoui, the Souk Ahras Governor, and Sonatrach's CEO, during the foundation stone laying ceremony.