Azomures restarts fertilizer production after year-long shutdown

Azomures, Romania’s only operational fertilizer producer, has resumed production at 30% capacity following a nearly year-long shutdown triggered by high natural gas prices. The plant, located in Târgu Mureș and owned by Swiss trading group Ameropa, has restarted with ammonia production, a key input for complex fertilizers.

The company has historically adjusted operations in response to fluctuations in the gas market. According to Romanian business outlet Economedia.ro, the facility is currently consuming about 1 million cubic meters of domestic natural gas per day, compared to its nameplate capacity of 3.5 million cubic meters.

State-owned natural gas producer Romgaz is exploring a potential acquisition of Azomures, either partially or in full, to expand its value-added activities. The company has launched a tender to secure consultancy services for the assessment and negotiation process, as well as to develop a business plan for the integration of Azomures.

“Romgaz is analyzing the possibility of developing its businesses in the chemical industry,” states the tender documentation, quoted by Profit.ro. The consultants will examine operational synergies, risks, and opportunities associated with the acquisition, and propose possible improvements to the plant’s business model.

Azomures has a total annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of fertilizers. Approximately 75% of output is sold domestically, with the remainder exported to neighboring countries such as Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.

The facility spans 100 hectares and produces agricultural fertilizers such as NPK, ammonium nitrate, nitrolim, and granulated urea, as well as industrial chemicals including melamine, ammonia water, and nitric acid.