Successful commissioning of the first bromine project in the Asia-Potash International Industrial Park, perfect fulfillment of the “Asia-Potash Speed” promise, and the creation of another “Lao Miracle.”
On the morning of 31 May, a ceremony was held to celebrate the successful commissioning of Asia-Potash International’s first non-potash project, the bromine project of Asia New Materials Limited with an annual output of 10,000 tons. The project was grandly held at the Asia-Potash International Intelligent Circular Industrial Park in Khammouane province, Laos.
Construction of the project began in November 2022 and the project was put into operation in May 2023, achieving full completion within only six months.
On 30 May, steady operations had been going on for 72 hours, with a maximum daily bromine output of over 36 tons, reaching 120 percent of the designed capacity.
This marks the successful commissioning and the achievement and over-fulfillment of the designed capacity, as well as the official entry of Asia-Potash International into non-potash industries.
On behalf of the Lao government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, sent a letter to congratulate the project on its successful implementation.
Dr. Khampheng Saysompheng, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office; Mr. Malaythong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Mrs. Chansavath Boupha, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines; and Dr. Sthabandith Insisienmay, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Liu Bingyan, Director, Secretary to the Board and Vice President of Asia-Potash International; Zheng Youye, Director and Vice President; Tong Yongheng, Vice President and General Manager of SINO-AGRI International Potash Co., Ltd. (SINO-KCL); Su Xuejun, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Liu Yonggang, Vice President; and the senior management team of SINO-KCL, attended the ceremony.
Mr. Malaythong Kommasith praised Asia-Potash International for setting an example in promoting industrial and mining development, for making significant contributions to national finance and local development, and for creating a reputation for the mining industry in Laos, particularly the potash industry.
He also acknowledged Asia-Potash International as an exemplary investor in promoting cooperation between China and Laos.
As an industrial project, the Asia-Potash International Industrial Park can strengthen the development of the economy and bring about multiple changes in Laos, including the improvement of production efficiency, the utilization of human resources, the establishment of order, the development of the industrial chain system and supply-demand system, the emergence of small and medium-sized enterprise clusters, the dissemination of knowledge, science and technology, and the attraction of investment, thus generating income for the country and the general public.
The Governor of Khammouane province Vanhxay Phongsavanh said that SINO-AGRI International Potash Co., Ltd. under Asia-Potash International has made outstanding contributions to the social development of Khammouane province and its surrounding counties and townships, creating a large number of employment opportunities, and improving people’s living standards.
It has assisted in the establishment of schools, river bridges and vegetable greenhouse demonstration sites.
In March this year, Asia-Potash International and the Lao government officially executed a Memorandum for the project named “Asia-Potash International Intelligent Recycling Industrial Park” in Khammouane province, which was fully implemented. The industrial park consists of three parts: a potash fertilizer industrial park, a non-potash industrial park, and the Asia-Potash Town.
It is estimated that operations in the industrial park will earn an annual revenue of about USD 320 million, increase foreign exchange reserves by about USD 1.7 billion, and create 30,000–50,000 job opportunities for the local community.
The bromine project with an output of 10,000 tons is the first project to be implemented after the signing of the Memorandum, marking the first step in the development of non-potash resources under Asia-Potash International.
The six-month construction period creates another record for the remarkable “Asia-Potash Speed” and confirms Asia-Potash International’s ability to fulfill commitments and achieve goals as promised to the government.
The Asia-Potash International team said that based on the development strategy of “resources, scale and innovation”, the company has formulated a long-term and clear implementation strategic plan. The bromine project is merely the beginning.
Based on the planning of Asia-Potash International, with the production capacity of its main business of potash fertilizer reaching five million tons, the bromide project of Asia Advanced Materials will also strive to achieve a bromine production capacity of 50,000–70,000 tons and materialize multiple bromine-based new material product lines by the end of 2025, so as to transform Laos’ production base into a global high ground for the bromine-based new material industry.
At present, non-potash projects other than the bromine project are also progressing in an all-encompassing way. Among them, the chlorine-alkali project, flame retardant project, and salt project have been implemented or have been approved and will soon be implemented.
It is estimated that the constructed capacity of Phase I will be 300,000 tons. Preliminary calculations suggest that this can help Laos cut down foreign exchange expenditure of about USD 150 million and add 1,000 jobs.
