NITROGEN INDUSTRY CAPACITY AND PRODUCTION

Developing Countries as Vo of Total World Production 198011981 31% 03 million t.N 

World ammonia capacity increased by nearly 14% from 1984 to 1996 while capacity for urea, the primary downstream nitrogen product, increased by 45%. The increases were due primarily to 1) a desire by some major importing countries to become more self-sufficient and 2) the construction of export-oriented capacity in the Middle East and in the former Soviet Union (prior to its breakup). Ammonium phosphate capacity increased by 9% between 1984 and 1996. Ammonium nitrate capacity declined by 2% from 1984 to 1996 while ammonium sulfate capacity declined by 8%35. 

In the future, developing nations are expected to continue to account for most of the increases in ammonia and urea capacity. Ammonia capacity is expected to increase by about 20 million tonnes and urea capacity by about 12 million tonnes of nitrogen between 1996 and 2002. The availability of relatively low-cost feedstock (usually natural gas) will be a major determinant as to where this new capacity is installed. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium phosphate capacity are also expected to rise35. The following tables summarize anticipated world capacity for nitrogen products by year (Table 3.1) and by major regions or countries (Table 3.2)148. 

Year Ammonia Urea Ammonium Nitrate Ammonium Phosphates (as P2O5) 

The trend in nitrogen product production generally parallels the changes in product capacity. However, ammonium sulfate production is expected to rise as world industrial production increases, even though a significant increase in capacity is not likely. Also, ammonium nitrate production is projected to be flat even though some new capacity will be built35. 

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