SIPITANG: The Sabah Ammonia and Urea project (SAMUR) which has been implemented from 2012 here is now 98 per cent complete, said Petronas Chemical Fertiliser Sabah Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Mohd Iskandar Bakeri.
He said the project involving the construction of three key plants, namely ammonia, urea and granulated urea in one complex, while using technology from Denmark, Italy, Germany and Holland, is expected to be fully completed in the second half of the year.
“When complete, the plant is capable of producing 740,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) and urea fertiliser of 1.2 million MTPA. The US$1.9 billion project is also backed by integrated utilities as a jetty and other supporting facilities,” he added.
Mohd Iskandar said this in a statement to reporters at the “Petronas with the Sipitang Community Aidilfitri celebration” here yesterday.
Elaborating further, Mohd Iskandar said at present, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PCG) manages two plants producing urea with a production of 750,000 MTPA in Bintulu and the other at Gurun, Kedah at 696,000 MTPA.
“The SAMUR project when completed will double the existing production capacity for urea fertiliser at PCG to about 2.6 million MTPA.
“It will make the PCG the second largest producer of urea fertiliser in Southeast Asia,” he added.
Meanwhile, about 4,000 people from the district attended the Aidilfitri gathering.
Also present was Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said the SAMUR project will provide job opportunities for people in the state and also serve as a catalyst for the local social and economic development.