Bulgarian fertilizer producer Agropolychim has begun construction of a new 50,000 tonnes per year calcium nitrate plant at its site at Devnya, near the port of Varna.

The new plant, valued at EUR 40 million, is part of a overall investment of EUR 250 million, said the company in its 12 June statement.

The new plant will produce granulated, water-soluble calcium nitrate (CN) and have a new logistics base for packaging, storage and distribution.

“With this project, Agropolychim is entering a new market segment—premium agricultural products with high added value. In addition to calcium nitrate, the new facility will enable the production of a wide range of liquid fertilizers enriched with calcium, sulphur, magnesium, potassium, and micronutrients,” the company said.

Agropolychim expects the CN market to grow with a steady CAGR of ‘over 3%’ in the next five years. “While the primary focus will be on export markets—mainly in Southern and Western Europe—the product will also be made available to Bulgarian farmers at highly competitive prices compared to imported alternatives.”

To counter the hygroscopic nature of the product, Agropolychim intends to implement an automated FFS (Form, Fill, Seal) packaging line for 25 kg bags. The bags will undergo vacuum sealing, meet the EU standards for durability and protection, and be automatically stacked on stretch-wrapped pallets of up to 1,200 kg.

The company says that the CN will be its first product to have a certified low carbon footprint. It says production will be based on blue ammonia (where the CO2 is captured and stored), and the steam and electricity used in the process will ‘be primarily sourced from renewable energy.’

As well as ammonium nitrate, Agropolychim produces triple super phosphate (TSP), ammoniated phosphates and NPKs. The company exports product via rail; barges on the River Danube, and sea-borne exports from Varna, or the port of Constanta to the north. Both ports are on the Black Sea.

Administrative challenges
The company said that the project enters its execution phase after nearly five years of delays caused by complex administrative procedures in Bulgaria, including urban planning, environmental impact assessments, integrated permits, and construction authorization. “These challenges are not rooted in legislation but in limited administrative capacity and poor inter-institutional coordination,” the company said.

“Despite the delays, the construction of the new calcium nitrate facility is a clear demonstration of Agropolychim’s long-term commitment to innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and the future of agriculture—both in Bulgaria and across Europe.”

An indication of when the first product would be leaving the plant was not given in yesterday’s statement.

More news from New AG International on calcium nitrate – read developments from ADOB here.