Due to rising raw material prices, Lifosa had suspended production in August

The “Lifosa” phosphorus fertiliser plant in Kėdainiai had suspended production of all its products in August this year due to rising raw material prices, but the company is currently operating, reports “Verslo žinios”.

It is reported that neither the company itself nor its shareholder, the Russian-owned group “EuroChem”, disclosed how long the plant had been shut down or the reasons for the shutdown.

Gediminas Adomonis, director of “Valnetas”, the company temporarily administering “Lifosas”, told “Verslo žinios” that he had received a notification stating that production had been halted due to a sulphur shortage, but he did not know when it had resumed.

“At the moment, ‘Lifosa’ is definitely operating, as I can see that it is purchasing raw materials. I believe the downtime was used for staff holidays and maintenance work. This lasted perhaps a couple of weeks. However, I cannot say anything for certain; this is not my area of expertise“,– G. Adomonis assured.

It is added that, according to the European commodities market analysis agency “Argus Media“, the shutdown of the Kėdainiai plant is linked to sulphur, approximately 80 per cent of which is processed into sulphuric acid.

The Kėdainiai plant produces monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate and extraction phosphoric acid for use in its core production. The majority of raw materials are sourced from affiliated companies controlled by the “EuroChem” group.