NHU secures environmental approval for $20.6 million glufosinate-P production with 60,000-ton annual capacity

NHU (Shandong) has received environmental impact assessment (EIA) clearance for a new phosphorus-containing amino acid derivative project, which includes an annual 60,000-ton glufosinate-P production line. The company disclosed the plan on a government website for public consultation.

The project, with a total investment of RMB150 million ($20.6 million), allocates RMB5 million ($0.7 million) to environmental protection measures, accounting for 3.3% of the total. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and will be implemented in two phases over three years. Phase I is expected to conclude in December 2027 and Phase II in October 2029.

Planned output in Phase I includes 25,000 tons of glufosinate-P technical, 20,000 tons of glufosinate-P 10% SL, and 15,000 tons of glufosinate-P 20% SL. Phase II will add a further 20,000 tons of technical material, along with 20,000 tons of 10% SL and 15,000 tons of 20% SL.

The facility will adopt a biocatalytic production process using industrial E. coli strains provided by a partner holding the relevant technology. NHU (Shandong) said it has developed its own process referencing global industrialization practices. Other Chinese producers, including Sichuan Lier Chemical, Zhejiang Yonon and Shandong Binnong, also rely on enzyme catalysis in glufosinate-P production.