In a move that underscores the deepening strategic chemistry between Russia and India’s fertiliser sector, Uralchem JSC has signed a memorandum of understanding with three Indian fertiliser majors—Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF), National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL) and Indian Potash Ltd (IPL)—to jointly build a large-scale urea production facility in Russia. The agreement, signed at a ceremony in New Delhi, marks one of the most ambitious cross-border collaborations in the global nitrogen fertiliser industry.

The proposed plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.8–2 million tonnes, positioning it among the largest dedicated urea units servicing the Indian agricultural market. Under the broad framework agreed upon, ammonia produced by Togliattiazot JSC (TOAZ) will anchor the feedstock requirements, while the Indian partners will finance the project until the plant achieves commercial operation. The consortium is currently conducting a detailed evaluation of technical parameters and financial feasibility, alongside negotiations on the joint venture’s corporate structure and governance model.

Uralchem CEO Dmitry Konyaev described the MoU as a natural progression of the company’s long-standing relationship with India, noting the country’s growing importance as both a global agricultural power and one of the world’s largest consumers of mineral fertilisers. He reaffirmed Uralchem Group’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Indian market and emphasised that the agreement marks another milestone in the strengthening of the partners’ long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.

Uralchem JSC, part of the broader Uralchem Group, ranks among the world’s largest producers and exporters of nitrogen and compound fertilisers, with manufacturing assets spread across the Kaliningrad, Kirov, Moscow and Perm regions of Russia. The Group’s portfolio includes three major entities—Uralchem JSC, Uralkali PJSC and TOAZ JSC—collectively representing a production capacity of roughly 25 million tonnes and employing nearly 38,000 people worldwide.

The MoU sets the stage for a new phase in Indo-Russian industrial collaboration, with the proposed urea plant expected to reinforce India’s long-term nutrient security strategy while offering Russian producers a stable, strategic market for nitrogen-based products. Further announcements are expected as the partners complete due diligence and move toward final investment decisions.