Kazakhstan approves $1.6 billion ammonia-urea complex in Aktau

Kazakhstan has approved the construction of a major ammonia and urea complex in the western city of Aktau, a project valued at 804.2 billion tenge (approximately USD 1.6 billion). The country’s Ministry of Industry and Construction and KazAzot Prime signed an investment agreement, while Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov formalized the project through a government decree, according to Interfax citing the ministry’s press service.

The facility is expected to begin operations in 2030 and will create around 1,500 jobs during construction and 700 permanent positions once operational. The complex is designed to produce up to 660,000 metric tons of ammonia annually, approximately 580,000 tons of urea, and 500,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, significantly expanding Kazakhstan’s domestic nitrogen fertilizer production.

Kazakhstan currently does not produce urea domestically and relies on imports from neighboring countries to meet agricultural demand. Authorities said the new plant will help supply farmers with locally produced fertilizer, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the country’s export potential. KazAzot remains Kazakhstan’s only nitrogen fertilizer producer today, but additional urea projects are also being developed by KazESTA and KMG PetroChem in partnership with CNPC-Aktobemunaigas. With all planned investments completed, Kazakhstan projects ammonia production capacity to reach 2.3 million tons annually by 2030.