Qatar's Fertilizer Output Triples in a Decade Says GPCA Report

Doha, September 02 (QNA) - Qatar's fertilizer market has nearly tripled in the last ten years, GCC's second highest producer, according to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA). Qatar accounts for the second largest share of fertilizer production at 10.7 million tonnes in the GCC, according to the GPCAs Fertilizers Indicators report. Qatari fertilizer producers have grown at an average of 9.4% for the 2004- 2014 period. This is higher than the regional average growth rate for fertilizers, which rose by 7.1% in the same decade. GPCA Secretary General Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun said, "Qatar has spent the last ten years laying the foundation of an export- oriented fertilizer sector. Qatar Government's vision and investor confidence has resulted in a unique success story. This industry's growth rose at an average of 9.4% in Qatar during this period which is higher than the regional growth rate." Fertilizer production in the Arabian Gulf grew to 40.8 million tons in 2014, a 3.8% increase from the previous year, earning revenues of US $6.5 Billion, according to the report. Looking ahead, the GCCs fertilizer manufacturers can look into diversifying their product portfolio to include specialty fertilizers, advises the GPCA. To date, only 396,000 tons of speciality fertilizers are currently produced in the GCC. The report says Qatar also holds a dominant position in the production of urea fertilizers. "Qatar is the largest urea producer in the region, manufacturing 37% of the GCCs production of this commodity. Additionally, Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) operates the largest single site ammonia and urea production plant, proving that it is possible to megaprojects of this scale," said Dr. Al- Sadoun. Fertilizer production in the Arabian Gulf grew to 40.8 million tons in 2014, a 3.8% increase from the previous year, earning revenues of US $6.5 Billion, according to the report. GPCA will release the Fertilizer Indicators report at its Convention. Now in its 6th edition, the conference will be held in Dubai from September 14 to 16. The GPCA represents the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Established in 2006, the association voices the common interests of more than 240 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95% of chemical output in the Gulf region. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing up to US 102 Billion worth of products a year. (QNA)