Shanxi Jiaocheng has been honored with the title of "China's Calcium Capital," and the nitrate fertilizer industry is poised for takeoff
On July 17, 2024, good news came from Urumqi, Xinjiang: At the National Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Work Conference and the 7th Council's 7th Meeting, Jiaocheng County was officially awarded the honorary title of "Jiaocheng·China Calcium Capital (Nitrate Fertilizer)" by the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association. This honor not only represents a high recognition of Jiaocheng County's outstanding contributions in the field of nitrate calcium fertilizer but also marks a solid step taken by Jiaocheng County on the path of high-quality development in China's nitrate calcium fertilizer industry.
Jiaocheng County has been officially awarded the honorary title of "Jiaocheng·China's Calcium Capital (Nitrate Fertilizer)" by the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association (provided by Jiaocheng Media)
Jiaocheng County is one of the first seven key specialized towns in Luliang City, Shanxi Province, specializing in nitrate compound fertilizers. It is the most concentrated area for the production and sales of nitrate products in the country, having developed its nitrate fertilizer industry for over thirty years. It has formed a circular fertilizer industry cluster centered on calcium ammonium nitrate, integrating research and development, production, and export. Currently, there are 32 nitrate fertilizer enterprises, including 21 large-scale enterprises, with total assets reaching 7 billion yuan and an output value of 5.5 billion yuan, employing over 4,100 people. The county can produce more than 35 types of nitrate products, with the output of nitrate soluble calcium fertilizers such as calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, and calcium magnesium nitrate exceeding 2 million tons, capturing an 80% share of the domestic market and over 60% of the international market. In 2023, the total output value of calcium fertilizers in the county reached 5.5 billion yuan, earning the reputation of "The World Looks to China for Calcium Fertilizers, and China Looks to Jiaocheng." It has been recognized by the Ministry of Commerce as a national-level (new type fertilizer) foreign trade transformation and upgrading base and designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology as an innovative county.
Looking back at the development history of Jiaocheng's chemical industry, it has a long-standing history. From the ancient Yuan Dynasty when locals extracted soil to produce salt, to the modern era when it supplied salt and nitrate to revolutionary bases, and to the rise of modern chemical factories and the growth of private enterprises promoting the new fertilizer industry, Jiaocheng's chemical fertilizer industry has continuously evolved.
In recent years, the Jiaocheng County government has placed great emphasis on the development of nitrate calcium fertilizers, formulating the "Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of Nitrate Compound Fertilizer Specialized Towns in Jiaocheng County." A leadership group has been established, led by the main leaders of the county government, with the deputy county head as the deputy leader, to promote the high-quality development of nitrate compound fertilizer specialized towns. The government has continuously strengthened technological research and development and innovation investment in nitrate calcium fertilizers, with research and development investment reaching 1 billion yuan. There are 12 high-tech fertilizer enterprises, 2 provincial-level technology centers, 1 provincial-level innovation platform, 114 new fertilizer brands, and 223 technology patents.
Today, the advantages of "Jiaocheng Fertilizer" are evident. The Shanxi Jiaocheng Economic Development Zone, as a pilot area for industrial transformation and comprehensive energy reform, provides a good platform for the fertilizer industry. At the same time, Jiaocheng has formed a complete industrial chain, with sufficient surrounding coke production capacity providing strong support for nitrate compound fertilizer production. There is a clear talent advantage, with a system established that includes entrepreneurs and high-end technical talents from three generations. Additionally, there are significant logistics advantages, with transportation routes crisscrossing and cooperation with the Jinyang Customs accelerating the pace of Jiaocheng's fertilizers entering the global market.
Looking to the future, Jiaocheng is fully prepared. The support from national, provincial, and municipal policies has created a favorable environment for industrial development. The expansion plan for the Shanxi Jiaocheng Economic Development Zone has been approved, and the identification work for the chemical park has begun, guiding the high-quality development of the county's chemical industry. Project investment vitality continues to surge, with many enterprises implementing technological transformation and upgrading projects. It is expected that within five years, the nitrate fertilizer production capacity in the county will exceed 5 million tons.
Jiaocheng, a city full of vitality and opportunities, is welcoming investments from various enterprises with an open attitude, jointly writing a new chapter in the development of the nitrate compound fertilizer industry and creating the world's largest and most influential green fertilizer production carrier.