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New investment of R$3 billion in the factory creates 800 jobs and strengthens national production of nitrogen fertilizers.
The city of Sapopema, in Paraná, is preparing to welcome a project that promises to transform the local economy and reduce Brazil's dependence on fertilizer imports. Paranafert, the company responsible for the project, announced an investment of R$3 billion in the construction of a factory of nitrogen fertilizers. With the capacity to produce 520 thousand tons of fertilizers per year, equivalent to 7% of national consumption, the new unit aims to meet the needs of agribusiness and generate around 800 direct jobs in the region.
Production capacity and job creation at the factory
The new factory It will have an annual production capacity of approximately 520 thousand tons of fertilizers, corresponding to around 7% of national consumption.
In addition, the unit will also produce 13 thousand tons of sulfur and derivatives per year.
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This increase in national fertilizer production is considered a significant advance for Brazilian agribusiness, especially at a time when the country aims to reduce its dependence on imports.
Currently, Brazil is the world's largest importer of fertilizers, with around 86% of its needs met by other countries.
The high demand for fertilizers, driven by agribusiness, makes the new factory in Sapopema even more relevant.
The expectation is that local production will contribute to stabilizing the domestic market and ensuring greater security in the supply of essential inputs for agriculture.
The factory construction project also brings an important prospect of job creation in the region.
It is estimated that around 800 direct jobs will be created during the unit's installation and operation process.
These jobs will represent a significant opportunity for the residents of Sapopema and neighboring municipalities, in addition to contributing to the economic development of the region.
Work schedule
The schedule of the project provides that obtaining environmental licenses and other legal authorizations necessary for the construction of the factory will occur within one year.
After this phase, the works must be completed within an additional period of two years.
This planning highlights the importance of an efficient environmental licensing process, which is being conducted by the Water and Land Institute (IAT), with support from the state government.
According to José Luiz Scroccaro, president of the IAT, negotiations with Paranafert are already underway to ensure that all environmental requirements are met.
The agency requested the company to provide a Simplified Environmental Report (RAS), which will allow a detailed analysis of the environmental impact of the new factory.
“We are waiting for the details of the project to proceed with issuing the installation license,” said Scroccaro.
Sustainability in fertilizer production
The production of nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea, is essential for plant growth and, consequently, for increasing agricultural productivity.
Urea, in particular, is widely used around the world as a source of nitrogen for agricultural crops.
A factory in Sapopema, it will use mineral coal gasification technology, a technique already used in countries such as China, India and South Africa.
This technology is considered advanced and efficient, in addition to allowing more sustainable management of fertilizer use.
When applied appropriately, urea contributes to the healthy development of plants, with fewer input applications and less environmental impact.
The state secretary for Sustainable Development, Everton Souza, highlighted the importance of this production model, which, according to him, enhances the use of Paraná's natural resources and reduces dependence on imports.
The investment in the Sapopema factory is also aligned with the National Fertilizer Plan (PNF/2050), approved by the National Council for Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition (Confert) in 2023.
This plan establishes that national fertilizer production must be able to meet between 45% and 50% of national demand by 2050.
In this context, the new factory in Paraná is seen as a strategic step towards achieving this goal.
Expectations for the future of the factory
Governor Ratinho Junior emphasized the positive impact that the investment will bring not only to Sapopema, but to the whole of Paraná.
He highlighted that the factory will help the state and the country to depend less on imported fertilizers, in addition to boosting regional economic development.
“This is a project that brings benefits to the entire agribusiness chain and the local economy. We are creating job opportunities and strengthening our production capacity”, stated the governor.
The meeting was also attended by other authorities, such as vice-governor Darci Piana, the state secretary of Planning, Guto Silva, and deputies Luísa Canziani and Luiz Claudio Romanelli.
Everyone expressed support for the project and emphasized the importance of ensuring an agile and transparent licensing process for the installation of the factory.
The construction of the nitrogen fertilizer factory in Sapopema represents a milestone for Brazil's agricultural sector. With a billion-dollar investment, the creation of hundreds of jobs and a production capacity that will meet a large part of national demand, the project is seen as a necessary boost to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national agribusiness.
