Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (Koch) and OCP Nutricrops S.A. (OCP) have signed an agreement for Koch to invest in Jorf Fertilizers Company I (JFC I), from OCP Nutricrops. Upon closing, the transaction will establish a 50/50 operating joint venture (JV) between Koch and OCP.
The agreement enhanced the long-standing relationship between Koch and OCP that was strengthened in 2022 when Koch acquired a 50% interest in Jorf Fertilizers Company III, renamed Kofert. JFC I owns and operates a phosphate fertilizer production facility in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, with the capacity to produce up to 1.2 million tpy of phosphate-based fertilizers. It is one component of the Jorf Fertilizer Complex, the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer production platform.
Once the JFC I transaction closed, the two JVs represented a combined production capacity of approximately 2.5 million tpy of phosphate-based fertilizers, marking a new phase in the parties’ long-standing collaboration in the Jorf Fertilizer Complex. The venture is intended to serve customers around the globe, including in North America.
The new JV has come at an important moment for North American agriculture in particular, as farmers and customers seek greater supply reliability, diversified sources of phosphate-based fertilizers and long-term solutions to support resilient agricultural value chains.
The US administration’s decision to temporarily suspend countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer imports further created an opportunity for the JV to serve US farmers and customers with phosphate-based plant nutrition solutions, essential to soil health and crop yields.
“This investment builds on the collaboration we have had through the Kofert venture,” said Scott McGinn, Koch Fertilizer President. “We are excited to expand Koch Fertilizer’s phosphate offering for our customers and to continue to grow Koch’s long-standing relationship with OCP.”
“We welcome the signing of this agreement, which marks an important milestone in our long-standing partnership with Koch, a key North American player,” stated Faris Derrij, Chairman and CEO of OCP Nutricrops. “The joint venture strengthens our ability to deliver reliable, high-quality soil nutrition solutions to farmers and customers, including across North America, while contributing to more resilient agricultural value chains and long-term food security.”