Production - Porsgrunn

The Site

The Porsgrunn site is located at Herøya outside Porsgrunn, in the Hydro Porsgrunn Industrial Park (HPI), Norsk Hydro's industrial site about 140 km south west of Oslo. The site covers an area of approximately 1,5 square kilometers, and is the largest industrial site in Norway.

Production units

The wholly owned facilities are fully integrated for nitrogen-based products, and have Yara's and Europe's largest installed production capacity for NPK complex fertilizers. The site has the following production units: one ammonia plant, three nitric acid plants, two NPK plants and one calcium nitrate (CN) plant. The facilities produce a wide range of NPK and CN product grades, developed to meet the needs of crop fertilization under various climates and soil conditions. Approximately half of the volumes produced are sold overseas, mainly in Asia. The balance is sold in various countries in Europe. 

The ammonia, nitric acid and fertilizer facilities also produce a range of gases and chemicals for industrial applications. 

The site has large storage facilities and efficient loading facilities for bulk deliveries. Four bagging units allow bagging of big-bags and pallets. The bagged products are loaded into vessels, containers and trucks 

Significant volumes of dry bulk raw materials are required to enable the wide range of product grades in Porsgrunn.

Sustainability

High environmental and safety standards are vital for safe and stable operation of the plants.  In 1993 the quality management system was certified according to DIN EN ISO 9002. In 2002 the plant achieved the certificates for an integrated quality and environmental management system, according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001.

Critical emission parameters are defined and monitored.  Special attention is given to episodes of accidental discharges.  All critical emissions are below the official permits (last 12 months average).  Furthermore, all emissions are  within BAT levels, defined by the European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association EFMA.

In 2002 a new system for handling and sorting different types of waste was introduced.  The results so far show both environmental benefits and financial savings.