GEA Wins Contract from Chinese Company to Participate in Africa's First Potash Production Plant
GEA Barr-Rosin has recently been awarded contracts to provide a Chinese Canadian Company with drying and conditioning systems for Africa's first potash processing plant. The new plant, which is to be located in the Republic of Congo, will be an important step towards establishing the potash industry in Africa and shows GEA's continuous support to the industry as it expands into new territories.
GEA Barr-Rosin will provide two European-built drying and conditioning lines which will be installed as part of a complete processing plant. Special focus will be on the conditioning systems, which each include a conditioning drum, a fluidised bed dryer/cooler and a rotary coater and their ability to meet the highest product quality specifications and ensure ease of storage, handling and transport despite the tropical environment.
"To work in Africa together with our Chinese customer is a significant first for GEA Barr-Rosin," said Dominic Kuehner, GEA Barr-Rosin Sales and Marketing Manager. "We have a great deal of experience and expertise in design, supply and installing equipment and process for the potash industry and look forward to supporting our customer in this milestone project."
"Potash has rarely been mined in Africa before and the tropical weather conditions will be testing, but with our proven conditioning system, we will ensure distinguishing product qualities," said Dominique Kuehner. "Potash is hydroscopic so the humid atmosphere can cause quality issues, but with our conditioning and coating technology, the customer will be able to produce granulated potash meeting the international standards".
This project in the Republic of Congo will mine one of the world's largest undeveloped potash deposits and produce agricultural-grade potash fertilizers to meet the growing demand from markets in Asia, South America, South Africa and Europe.
"It's an important move for GEA Barr-Rosin. We have been able to assist with the re-build of the Republic of Congo's industrial infrastructure, whilst simultaneously demonstrating to other Chinese investors in Africa that GEA has successfully pioneered a significant new region," said Dominique.
The facility is scheduled to start production in 2015 and is expected to be among the world's lowest-cost producers due to its highly efficient mining technologies, access to local natural gas, and its proximity to planned new port facilities and principal markets.
Further editorial information from:
Steve Jordan
+ 44 1908 695500
Email: steve@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
All business enquiries to:
Dominique Kuehner
Sales and Marketing Manager
+44 1628 407226
Email: Dominique.kuehner@gea.com
Web: www.gea.com
About GEA Barr-Rosin
GEA Barr-Rosin, a member of the Process Engineering Segment of GEA Group, is a leading supplier of industrial drying systems, offering numerous technologies to dry wet materials, ranging from granules, cakes, sludges, powders and slurries. With thousands of references worldwide, GEA Barr-Rosin drives for excellence and maintains their leading position by continually focusing on product quality, system reliability, energy savings and emission control. For further information visit www.barr-rosin.com.
About GEA Process Engineering
GEA Process Engineering develops, designs, and markets production plant equipment and processes for the dairy, brewery, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. With sales close to EUR 1.7 billion in 2012 and 5,500 employees working in more than 40 countries, GEA Process Engineering is recognized as a world leader within liquid processing, concentration, industrial drying, powder processing handling, emissions control, solid dosage forms & sterile products, and aseptic packaging. GEA Process Engineering is a business segment of GEA Group, headquartered in Germany. For further information visit www.geap.com.
About GEA Group
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is one of the largest suppliers for the food processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. As an international technology group, the Company focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes. In 2012, GEA generated consolidated revenues in excess of EUR 5.7 billion, 70 percent of which came from the food and energy sectors, which are long-term growth industries. The group employed about 24,750 people worldwide as of June 30, 2013. GEA Group is a market and technology leader in its business areas. It is listed in Germany's MDAX stock index (G1A, WKN 660 200) and the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. For further information visit www.gea.com.
