Millions in work set for Koch fertilizer facility east of Enid

April 04, 2007 01:03 am

— By Robert Barron
Staff Writer

Koch Nitrogen Co. will begin a series of projects at its plant east of Enid to increase urea production for fertilizer customers.
“We plan a significant change in our Enid production capacity within the next year,” Roger Morris, plant manager, said Tuesday in a prepared release. “This multi-million project is the first of what we expect will be several improvements for this plant to allow us to better serve customers and improve our ability to create value long term.”
The project is the result of a growing demand for urea, as well as a need to improve the plant’s ability to load rail cars. Improvements include replacing equipment and re-configuring the plant’s current ammonia output to be further processed into urea. Fertilizer supply from the plant will not be reduced during the construction period, Morris said.
Urea is a white crystalline solid containing 46 percent nitrogen. It is commonly used as an animal feed additive in addition to being used as a fertilizer.
“We’ve worked hard since 2003 when we bought this plant to position it for long-term success,” Morris said. “The plant is ideally located to meet the growing fertilizer need for area farmers. We want to continue finding ways to better serve those markets.”
Construction could attract as many as 300 contract workers to the area during building. There are no plans to hire additional employees as a result of the plant changes, Morris said.
City Manager Eric Benson said Enid officials have worked closely with Koch as plans developed. He said the project will be good for the local economy.
“This project demonstrates Koch Nitrogen’s commitment to a quality facility here. They should be applauded for these upgrades that will improve the plant’s long-term viability,” Benson said.
Koch Nitrogen and its affiliates produce, distribute and market nitrogen fertilizers worldwide. The company’s fertilizer interests have the capability to produce about 7.5 million metric tons of nitrogen products annually. Koch Nitrogen is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of privately held Koch Industries, Inc.