Renewed service agreement for catalyst screening at OCP, Morocco

The OCP Group plays an important role in feeding a growing global population, by providing essential elements for soil fertility and plants growth. With almost a century of experience and revenues reaching US$ 5.95 billion in 2018, OCP is a leader in the phosphate rock and the phosphate-based fertilizers market.

OCP provides a wide range of well-adapted plant nutrient products to enhance soil, increase agricultural yields, and help to feed the planet in a sustainable and affordable way.

Thanks to its large-scale integrated industrial development strategy, OCP is present on the entire phosphate value chain and operates on all of its business lines. The group has nearly 21,000 employees located mainly in 4 mining sites (Khouribga, Gantour, Youssoufia, and Boucrâa) and 2 processing platforms (Jorf Lasfar and Safi).

To consolidate its strong position in the fertilizer industry, the Group is implementing an ambitious modular investment program for upstream and downstream activities for the 2008 to 2027 period in order to meet the growing demand for food.

From mining the phosphate rock to transporting it and processing it into plant nutrient products, this approach aims to promote sustainable agriculture by doubling the Group's mining capacity and tripling its processing capacity by 2025, while reducing its environmental footprint through a circular approach based on preservation of the resource, sustainable production, mindful consumption and creation of value by means of transformation and recycling.

In this context and in line with its ambitions as a national and international leader, OCP Group has embraced digitalization by implementing a “digital transformation” which covers its entire value chain as well as its transversal functions: industry 4.0, piloting performance, integrated supply chain, new services to customers and farmers, new collaborating experience, to name just a few examples of the strategic initiatives in this digital transformation. 

History

Entry into the acid business in Morocco was extremely challenging and took decades to achieve.

In January 2013, we were awarded a service agreement contract for catalyst screening for additional acid plants at Safi and Jorf Lasfar. The high level of service execution was soon recognized by our customer.  We received several HSE awards and an extension of the service agreement contract for and additional 3 years in 2015. Our service excellence and permanent site presence proved to be a contributing factor leading to our largest service agreement success in this strategic, rapidly growing market.

In addition, in March 2019 we signed a contract for the delivery of a new sulfuric acid plant for OCP Group. The contract includes delivery, engineering, procurement, and construction. This technology is based on our sulfur burning system. The new acid plant will incorporate advanced proprietary technologies such as HEROS heat recovery system, converter, absorption towers, and an acid distribution system made from Edmeston SX stainless steel alloy.  

Service Agreement

As part of the implementation of its new development program, OCP Group awarded Outotec Morocco with a 3-year framework contract for the catalyst screening of converters and gas filters on their sulfuric acid plants.

We undertake to utilize all knowledge, expertise, technical, care and diligence to fulfill all services under the terms of this agreement. Execution of the planned convention will take place during the cold shutdown of all the sulfuric acid plants, within the platforms Jorf Lasfar and Safi.

It is our obligation to provide full support to our Client, through the execution of the screenings to obtain the best possible results in this process and optimize scheduling and project management. The catalyst screening will be performed by our experienced team, who are well equipped and prepared for this project. We will be providing all necessary equipment, including full BearKat, labor and handling equipment to perform the catalyst screening.

*This case study has been written prior to the merger of Metso and Outotec.