Karak, June 1 (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday
inaugurated two strategic projects for the Arab Potash Company (APC),
and launched three Jordan Bromine Company (JBC) projects.

During a visit to the APC in Ghor Al Safi, His Majesty was briefed on
the two new projects: the solar evaporation ponds expansion project,
and the power and steam plant project.

The two projects aim to increase production capacity and secure
sustainable energy sources for APC, at a total cost of around JD75
million.

The King highlighted the importance of the two projects and building
on APC’s achievements.

APC Chairman Shehadah Abu Hdaib said the new projects reflect growth
in the company’s production capacity, thereby strengthening its
ability to meet the growing demand for potash and fertiliser products
in international markets and increasing the mining sector’s
contribution to the gross domestic product.

Abu Hdaib said the new projects reflect the company’s aim to
consolidate the national mining and fertiliser industries as
strategic partners in the global food security system.

For his part, APC President and CEO Maen F. Nsour spoke about the
solar evaporation ponds expansion project, which aims to increase
annual potash production by 35,000 tonnes, noting that the company
intends to market the additional output in its various markets around
the world.

Highlighting the new power and steam plant project, estimated to cost
around JD58 million, Nsour said the project supports the company’s
industrial expansion plans, given the expected rise in demand for
electricity and steam in the coming years.

During the visit to the Jordan Bromine Company, His Majesty
inaugurated the NEBO project, representing an investment valued at
around JD40 million, and also launched the EAGLE and LAVA projects,
representing JD28.4 million investments.

The King was briefed by JBC General Manager Samer Asfour on the NEBO
project’s goal of developing the company’s bromine-based operations,
which are used in the petroleum, pharmaceutical, and agricultural
industries.

Asfour said the JBC, established in 1999 as a joint venture between
the Arab Potash Company and the US-based company Albemarle
Corporation, is one of the world’s largest exporters of bromine,
meeting a third of global demand for the substance, with its products
reaching 36 countries.

He added that the NEBO project aims to develop simpler and more
cost-effective methods for converting raw materials into finished
products, thereby reducing energy and water consumption, whilst the
EAGLE and LAVA projects aim to boost production and improve
efficiency by increasing the JBC plant’s operational capacity; both
projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

His Majesty commended JBC’s contributions to bolstering the national
economy, particularly in localising supply chains, thereby helping to
boost reliance on local capabilities, and emphasised the need to
focus on developing local industries that rely on bromine.

The JBC employs more than 700 people, around half of whom are from
local communities.

//Petra// AK