Gov’t breaks ground on USD 658 mn Abu Tartour phosphoric acid complex

The government has broken ground on the USD 658 mn Abu Tartour phosphoric acid complex in New Valley governorate, moving the long-delayed project from contractor selection to construction, according to a statement from the Oil Ministry. The ministry describes the project as the country’s first industrial complex to produce phosphoric acid from local phosphate ore.

The project: The first phase is designed to produce 250k tonnes a year of high-concentration commercial phosphoric acid, a key fertilizer input, planned for export via Safaga Port. China’s China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and East China Engineering Science and Technology (ECEC) are implementing the project, which is scheduled for completion within 30 months.

The project has been in the works for years: The local consortium developing it appointed CSCEC and ECEC as general contractors in June 2025. We reported at the time that the consortium — Abu Tartour for Phosphoric Acid, Abu Qir Fertilizers, East Gas, the Mineral Resources Authority, Misr Phosphate, Petrojet, and Enppi — was preparing to begin work. Misr Phosphate holds a 25% stake in Abu Tartour for Phosphoric Acid.

IN CONTEXT- The development adds a feedstock-processing link to Egypt’s emerging phosphate fertilizer investment pipeline. Phosphate Misr is also partnering with Indorama on a USD 525 mn Ain Sokhna project designed to produce 600k tonnes a year of phosphate-based fertilizers in its first phase, of which 80% is intended for export. The two investments will pair local phosphate supply with domestic phosphoric acid and fertilizer production, rather than exporting phosphate ore alone.

ALSO- Phosphate Misr, the Education Ministry, and New Valley governorate signed a protocol to establish the country’s first applied-technology school specializing in mining and phosphate ores. The three-year, dual-education school in Kharga is slated to begin operating in the 2026/27 academic year and graduate 100 technicians annually, with students expected to receive practical training linked to the Abu Tartour phosphoric-acid project.

Over in the SCZone

Jieya Egypt also broke ground on a USD 67 mn disposable hygiene products plant in TEDA Egypt’s Sokhna industrial zone, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The company, a subsidiary of China’s Tongling Jieya Biologic Technology, will build the 160k-sqm facility in TEDA’s 2.86-sq-km expansion area, targeting annual output of 8.1 bn single-use hygiene products within two years.

It might be a revised Jieya plan: Tongling Jieya was among three Chinese companies that signed framework agreements with TEDA Egypt in December 2025, as part of a USD 1.2 bn package of proposed investments. We reported at the time that Jieya was planning a USD 160 mn sanitary products plant with an annual capacity of 10 bn wet wipes, 2 bn diapers, and 100k tonnes of nonwoven fabric — larger than the USD 67 mn project now breaking ground. Neither the latest SCZone statement nor the earlier announcement explains whether the new facility is a first phase, a revised investment plan, or a separate project.

IN CONTEXT- TEDA is an expanding Chinese manufacturing cluster, where companies including Sailun, Jushi, and a range of solar, textile, appliance, and components manufacturers have set up or expanded production. Last month, TEDA asked the government for additional land to double its footprint, saying rising investor demand has put its existing 10-sq-km zone under pressure.

Robbiki adds another factory

The Cabinet approved a USD 12 mn private freezone project for Sky Nova for Leather Industry, Trade, and Tanning in Robbiki Leather City in Badr City, according to a cabinet statement. The company will build a 30k-sqm leather-goods factory scheduled to begin operating on 1 September 2027, with planned annual capacity of 2.5 mn pairs of shoes. The project targets a 45% local-content ratio, while projected exports total USD 148.4 mn from 4Q 2027 through 2032.

REMEMBER- Robbiki fully allocated all 43 ready-made factories in its first offering as of early last year, and the government opened a second phase of 36 more units in mid-2025 to keep pace with demand.

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