Agropolychim commenced construction of a state-of-the-art calcium nitrate (CN) production facility, marking the launch of a key phase in its long-term strategic investment program. Valued at over €40 million, the new plant is part of a broader initiative exceeding €250 million, aimed at expanding and diversifying the company’s product portfolio. Following an extensive design and regulatory approval process, construction is now underway, with all critical technological equipment already delivered to the site.
Facility to Add 50,000 Tons of Production Capacity
The project involves rebuilding existing infrastructure and establishing a modern production line with an annual output capacity of 50,000 tons of granulated, water-soluble calcium nitrate. Additionally, the company will construct a new logistics base for efficient packaging, storage, and distribution operations.
Entering the High-Value Fertilizer Market
With this facility, Agropolychim is stepping into the premium segment of agricultural inputs by producing high value-added products. Beyond calcium nitrate, the plant will also support the production of liquid fertilizers enriched with calcium, sulphur, magnesium, potassium, and micronutrients. Agropolychim will tailor these offerings to meet specific crop and soil needs, enabling customized solutions for a variety of farming systems.
Growing Market Demand Across Europe
The European calcium nitrate market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 3% over the next five years. Agropolychim aims to serve primarily export markets in Southern and Western Europe, while also offering cost-competitive alternatives to Bulgarian farmers. Calcium nitrate is essential for crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries, which often suffer from calcium deficiencies.
Optimizing Packaging and Storage for Quality
Given calcium nitrate’s highly hygroscopic nature, Agropolychim is investing in advanced packaging solutions to preserve product quality. The company will install an automated Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) system for 25 kg vacuum-sealed bags, compliant with European standards. The company will palletize these bags—up to 1,200 kg per unit—and store them in a high-capacity automated racking warehouse with 8,100 pallet spaces, ensuring product integrity from production through to global delivery.
Calcium Nitrate: A Critical Agronomic Tool
Calcium nitrate delivers two vital nutrients—calcium and nitrate nitrogen—that are essential for healthy plant growth and it supports cell wall integrity and physiological resilience, while nitrate nitrogen enables rapid uptake and efficient fertilization. This improves crop quality, stress resistance, and yield performance, especially for fruits and vegetables grown using fertigation or foliar application techniques.
Enhanced Shelf Life and Economic Returns
Growers using calcium nitrate benefit from longer shelf life, better transport resilience, and higher marketable yields, leading to greater economic returns. It is particularly suited for pre-harvest applications to prevent disorders caused by calcium deficiency.
Commitment to Sustainability and Low-Carbon Fertilizer
As per the press release, the calcium nitrate produced at the new facility will be based on low-carbon (blue) ammonia, created using carbon capture technology. The plant will also run on steam and electricity sourced primarily from renewable energy, making it one of the first Agropolychim products with a certified low carbon footprint, verified by an independent body. This aligns with the growing EU demand for environmentally sustainable agricultural inputs.
