On completion of the project, it will produce 3 million tons of diammonium phosphate per year. Maaden President and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Al-Dabbagh said the working team has been able to complete the project according to world standards, noting that after its completion, the project will be able to meet 10 percent of global demand for diammonium phosphate.

The company said it had completed services and infrastructure facilities of the phosphate project in Ras Al-Zour, in addition to the start of the experimental operation of most of the units of its joint venture in collaboration with Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).

The company said it has rescheduled the start of the first production of the project to the second quarter of 2011 instead of the fourth quarter of this year, adding that commercial production will begin in the third quarter of 2011.

The phosphate project exploits a phosphate deposit located in Al-Jalameed and utilizes local natural gas and sulfur resources to manufacture diammonium phosphate.

Processing facilities at Ras Al-Zour have also been designed with the flexibility to produce monammonium phosphate, should production of MAP be considered more economically viable.

The project is also likely to produce quantities of ammonia and phosphoric acid not required in the production process, which can be exported or sold domestically.

The Al-Jalameed site comprises a phosphate mine, a plant and supporting infrastructure.