Topsøe lays foundation on Russia’s first integrated methanol, ammonia site

A foundation stone laying ceremony was held at the construction site of a new methanol ammonia co-production plant for the petrochemical company Shchekinoazot, one of the largest producers of chemicals in Russia. 

The new plant, which is located in the Tula region of Russia, will be the first ever in the world using Haldor Topsoe’s IMAP (integrated methanol and ammonia production) technology.

IMAP is a technology that takes cost advantage from large production facilities and provides the option of making multiple products at a relatively smaller scale to meet market demands.

The capacity of the plant will be 1,350 tpd of methanol and 415 tpd of ammonia. Basic design is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2014, and start up is planned for 2017.

Topsoe’s late founder, Dr. Haldor Topsoe, began cooperation with Shchekinoazot in 2007, and since then the company has successfully been operating methanol and hydrogen plants designed and built using Topsoe’s technology, equipment, and catalysts. 

“Design and construction of the new unit is the next step in the cooperation between our companies,” said Boris Sokol, president of Shchekinoazot, in a speech delivered at the ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation as well as members of the Tula Region Government, owners and CEOs of Russian and international partner companies, executives of major Russian banks, insurance companies, and top managers of the Shchekinoazot company group.

The participants paid tribute to Dr. Haldor Topsoe, who passed away on May 20 previous year, and Mr. Sokol emphasized that the day was indeed special and symbolic.