Tag Archives: fertilisers

Business

URALCHEM Increased Production in the First Half of 2013

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Production from all enterprises in the URALCHEM group of companies amounted to 3.14 million tons in the first half of 2013. Output increased by 0.7% compared to the same period last year.

Moscow, Russia (July 15, 2013) — Production from all enterprises in the URALCHEM group of companies amounted to 3.14 million tons in the first half of 2013. Output increased by 0.7% compared to the same period last year.

Production of ammonium nitrate reached 1.42 million tons, an increase by 1% over the same period last year. Ammonia production increased by 1% to 412 thousand tons. Urea production rose to 613.8 thousand tons, which is 2% more than in the first six months of 2012. Output of complex fertilizers (NPK) increased by 1% to 293.2 thousand tons. Production of phosphate fertilizers (MAP / DAP) decreased by 3% to 245.2 thousand tons.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC, commented on the results for the first half of 2013, “As a result of ongoing projects to improve production efficiency, URALCHEM is continuing to increase output of its key nitrogen products, thereby maintaining a leading position among Russian manufacturers. During the period, the dynamics of phosphate fertilizer production reflected the overall situation on the global market for mineral fertilizers. The continuing low consumer activity in Asian countries, especially in India, has led to a global decline in the prices for phosphate fertilizers. URALCHEM’s wide range of products allows us to respond flexibly to changes in the market. The company continues to expand its product portfolio and has now entered a new niche, that of water-soluble fertilizers. These high-margin products are the fastest growing segment of today’s global market.”

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PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@uralchem.com
Web: http://www.uralchem.com

URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. Key production assets of URALCHEM, OJSC include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of URALCHEM. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions. We do not intend to update these statements and our actual results may differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Business

URALCHEM has renovated a lecture hall in the Chemistry Department of Moscow University

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One of the lecture halls at the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University has been completely renovated and re-equipped using funding provided by URALCHEM.

Moscow, Russia (April 29, 2013) — One of the lecture halls at the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University has been completely renovated and re-equipped using funding provided by URALCHEM.

URALCHEM was responsible for both the financing and organization of all phases of the work, which ranged from architectural design and major repairs to the purchase of computer equipment and furniture. Repair work began in October 2012 and is now completed. Today, the renovated hall is a comfortable auditorium, seating 35 students and containing the latest laboratory equipment, computers, office and video conferencing facilities. The project costs were 5.2 million roubles.

URALCHEM and Moscow State University have been collaborating since 2011, since when the Department of Chemistry has set up special training programmes for the company’s employees. The training curriculum includes a 72-hour course for workers without any previous educational background in chemistry (“Chemistry for non-chemists”), and a 105-hour course for those who already hold college and university degrees in chemistry (“Chemical technology of inorganic substances”).

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM commented, “We attach great importance to our cooperation with the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University. It is the leading university in the country and whose graduates are sought after in many sectors of the economy. The quality of its education remains at a consistently high level. I am therefore pleased that our partnership is developing and I hope that our support will facilitate the maintenance of its high educational standards.”

URALCHEM’s director of Human Resources, Svetlana Chekalova said, “I would like to thank the administration and staff of the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University for its cooperation. The Department’s teachers were very flexible in developing an academic programme that meets the needs of URALCHEM. We are a young company focused on development, and we are pleased with the desire for self-improvement shown by our employees. Since the beginning of our cooperation with Moscow State University, 236 workers from URLACHEM’s enterprises have already completed the courses. Our cooperation with one of the best universities in the country is helping to raise the professional level of our own people and is at the same time increasing the overall prestige of the chemist’s profession.”

Igor Kotlobovsky, Vice Rector of Moscow State University said, “On behalf of Moscow University, I would like to thank URALCHEM for its support, which has allowed the Department of Chemistry to have state-of-the-art equipment installed in one of its halls. The room has been fully modernised, whilst preserving its historical facade and decorative ceiling mouldings. Classes can now even be held remotely, so, students such as URALCHEM’s employees will be able to be trained without leaving their workplace. The partnership between the university and URALCHEM shows how fruitful cooperation of science and business can be.”

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PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
pr@uralchem.com

URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. Key production assets of URALCHEM, OJSC include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of URALCHEM. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions. We do not intend to update these statements and our actual results may differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Business

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. Reports IFRS Financial Results for the year 2012

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– Revenue increased to US $ 2,423 million, compared to US $ 2,080 million in 2011.
– Operating profit increased to US $ 734 million, compared with US $ 659 million in 2011.
– Adjusted EBITDA grew to US $ 839 million, compared to US $ 750 million in 2011.
– Net profit amounted to US $ 665 million, compared with US $ 445 million in 2011.

Moscow, Russia (March 12, 2013) — URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. (hereinafter URALCHEM Holding or the Company), a Cypriot holding company of the URALCHEM Group (hereinafter the Group), one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in Russia, published its audited IFRS Financial Statements for the year 2012.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC (a Russian holding company of the Group), commented on the 2012 results, “Thanks to the programmes for the modernization of production facilities, which we have successfully implemented in recent years, as well as our efforts to improve the management of the company, the year 2012 was a success for URALCHEM Holding. During the year, we maintained an optimal balance of production, oriented towards current demand, which allowed us to be responsive to the needs of the market. These factors enabled the company to show good operational and financial performance over the past year.”

Financial Results

Revenue for the year 2012 grew to US $ 2,423 million, compared to US $ 2,080 million in 2011. Operating profit amounted to US $ 734 million, or 30% of the revenue, compared with the operating profit of US $ 659 million, or 32% of the revenue in 2011. Net profit for the year 2012 amounted to US $ 665, compared to US $ 445 million in 2011.

During the year 2012, adjusted EBITDA reached US $839 million, compared to US $750 million the year before, a rise of 12%. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year 2012 comprised 35% of the revenue compared with 36% of the revenue for the year 2011.

Markets

After the fall of the price of ammonia in the first quarter due to lower demand from industrial consumers, prices started to recover in late March and early April. This recovery occurred due to the delayed launch of new facilities and close-down repairs at a number of major enterprises in the Middle East, as well as restrictions on the supply of gas in Trinidad. The same factors determined growth in prices during the second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter, there was a decline in prices associated with the reduction in demand from the industrial consumers in the US, Asia, and North Africa. Over the year, average prices for ammonia on the basis of FOB Yuzhny port grew by 5.2% compared to the same period in 2011.

The urea market remained relatively stable in the first half of the first quarter. However, a sharp rise in prices began later, due to high demand in the United States, backed by demand in Latin America and India. In the second half of the second quarter, prices fell due to the end of seasonal demand in the Northern Hemisphere. During the third quarter, prices were relatively stable, with a tendency to growth towards the end of the quarter, due to increased demand in major markets, which coincided with the closure of a number of CIS and the Middle East facilities for repairs. In the fourth quarter, prices fell due to low buying activity. Overall, in the second half of the year the market was under pressure from massive Chinese exports. As a result, the average price of prilled urea on the basis of FOB Yuzhny port decreased by 3.5% compared to 2011.

The prices of ammonium nitrate in 2012 basically followed the dynamics of the urea price. The price increase in the first quarter was driven by demand in the domestic market of the CIS. Until the middle of the second quarter, prices grew mainly due to the support from price of urea. From the middle of the second quarter, prices fell under the influence of the seasonal decrease in demand and also the pressure of prices for urea. In the third quarter, prices were relatively stable. Near the end of the quarter there was a strong growth in prices due to the lack of available products as a result of a number of enterprises switching to the production of commercial ammonia, as well as due to increased demand in the domestic market of the CIS. Falling prices in the first half of the fourth quarter is associated with pressure from the price of urea. From the middle of the quarter, there was a recovery in prices for ammonium nitrate in the ports of the CIS because of redistribution of the product to the domestic market, as well as switching of production to the manufacture of ammonia. Overall for the year 2012, there was a 2% decline in the prices of ammonium nitrate in the ports of CIS compared to the average price in 2011.

During the first quarter, the price of phosphate fertilizers slightly decreased due to the extremely low market activity. In the second quarter, the signing of the Indian contracts stabilized prices. During the quarter, the market showed a moderate recovery due to demand in Latin America and a number of “niche” markets. The third quarter was characterized by stable prices and low market activity. By the end of the quarter there was a tendency to a slight decrease in prices due to lack of demand in the South Asian markets and the purchasing tactics used by Latin American buyers based on current needs. In the fourth quarter, the downward trend in prices continued. The main reason for the decline in prices remained a lack of demand from South Asia, the low demand activity in Latin America, as well as increasing export supply from the US due to the end of the phosphate season. In 2012 the price of phosphate fertilizers in the CIS ports decreased by more than 12% compared to the average price in 2011.

Sales

Against the background of steady high demand for the Group’s fertilizers in Russia and abroad, the sales in 2012 rose by 18% compared to 2011, amounting to a total of 5,796 thousand tons. Sales of urea increased by 128%, sales of commercial ammonia grew by 50%.

Financial Situation

Due to the increase in revenue, cash generated from operating activities amounted to US $669 million for the year 2012, compared to US $523 million the year before.

On 31 December 2012, the Company’s net debt amounted to US $830 million compared to US $931 million at the end of the previous year. The weighted average interest rate in the loan portfolio of the Group for the year 2012 amounted to 5.2% annually compared to 5.9% annually for the year 2011.

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For more information, please visit the Company web site http://www.uralchem.com or use the following contact information:

PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@uralchem.com

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. is a holding company of the URALCHEM Group, which includes four fertilizer manufacturing facilities in Russia. URALCHEM Group is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tons of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tons of ammonia, 0.8 million tons of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tons of complex fertilizers and 1.2 million tons of urea per year. URALCHEM Group is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilizers in Russia. URALCHEM Group’s key production assets include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Business

URALCHEM obtains a Syndicated Loan

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The URALCHEM Group has refinanced part of its loan portfolio by bringing in a five-year syndicated loan.

Moscow, Russia (January 3, 2013) — The URALCHEM Group, a leading Russian producer of mineral fertilizers, has refinanced part of its loan portfolio by bringing in a five-year syndicated loan. As a result of the early redemption of a number of previously obtained loans, all material collaterals have been released, loan payments have been diversified into an optimal currency basket and the average term of the loans in the portfolio has been significantly increased.

The syndicated loan was obtained on 21 December 2012 from a pool of leading international and Russian banks, including JSC Sberbank of Russia, Sberbank (Switzerland) AG, ING Bank NV, Raiffeisenbank, VTB Bank (France) SA, HSBC Bank PLC and Rosbank (Société Générale Group).

The syndicated loan has become the first loan of this kind in the company’s history and attracted considerable interest from the banking community. In the process of syndication, the pool of banks was willing to provide funding of over $500 million, of which URALCHEM took $220 million. The loan documentation made provision for an option of a drawdown in Euros, which the company used. The loan period is 5 years and the company is using assignment of rights on its export contracts as security interest for the loan.

The funds raised have been allocated, among other things, to the early repayment of the company’s current liabilities, which has allowed the removal of collateral obligations from the tangible assets and shares of the Group’s enterprises.

“The banks’ interest in the company confirms its strong financial and operating position, its competitive advantages and the attractiveness of the industry,” said CEO of URALCHEM OJSC Dmitry Konyaev. He added, “The development strategy that we have chosen has allowed the company to significantly improve the structure of its loan portfolio and reduce its volume in 2012. By the end of 2012 the ratio of net debt to EBITDA has become less than 1, which is one of the best results for companies in our industry both domestically and abroad. The fact that first-class banks were willing to provide us with more than twice the amount and that the transaction has allowed us to free up collaterals, is demonstrating URALCHEM’s strong financial position.”

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Public Relations Department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@URALCHEM.com
Web: http://www.uralchem.com

URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. Key production assets of URALCHEM, OJSC include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of URALCHEM. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions. We do not intend to update these statements and our actual results may differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Business

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. Reports the First Nine Months of Year 2012 Unaudited IFRS Financial Results

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URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. announced its unaudited IFRS financial results for the first nine months of 2012 ending 30 September 2012.

(Moscow, Russia – November 16, 2012) – Revenue increased to US $1,804 million, compared to US $1,556 million in the first nine months of 2011.
– Operating profit increased to US $553 million, compared to US $487 million in the first nine months of 2011.
– Adjusted EBITDA grew to US $632 million, compared to US $560 million in the first nine months of 2011.
– Net profit amounted to US $600 million, compared to US $318 million in the first nine months of 2011.

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. (hereinafter URALCHEM HOLDING or the Company), a Cypriot holding company of the URALCHEM Group (hereinafter called the Group), one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia, announced its unaudited IFRS financial results for the first nine months of 2012 ending 30 September 2012.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC (part of the Group), commented on the results for the first nine months of 2012: “During nine months of this year the Company showed steady improvement of its financial performance compared to the results for the same period of 2011. To this contributed the acquisition earlier this year of another production unit, Minudobrenia, located in Perm and rising world prices for our main products, ammonia and urea. Looking back at the first nine months, we are optimistic about the full-year results for 2012.”

Financial Results

Revenue in the first nine months of 2012 grew to US $1,804 million, compared to US $1,556 million in the first nine months of 2011. Operating profit amounted to US $553 million compared with operating profit of US $487 million in the first nine months of 2011. Operating profit margin amounted to 31% both in the first nine months of 2012 and in the same period of the previous year.

In the first nine months of 2012, net profit amounted to US $600 million, compared with US $318 million in the same period in 2011.

In the first nine months of 2012 adjusted EBITDA reached US $632 million compared to US $560 million for the same period last year, an increase of 13%. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the first nine months of 2012 comprised 35%, compared with 36% in the first nine months of 2011.

Markets

During the third quarter of 2012, price dynamics for fertilizers and intermediate products were different.

Prices for ammonia in the third quarter showed a significant increase due to growing demand and limited supply. During these three months, the price level rose by $50 / t, and reached $650 / t FOB Port of Yuzhny by the end of September.

In the absence of a strongly marked trend, the urea market was characterized by high volatility. Prices have not shown any significant increase or noticeable reduction, remaining within the limits of $360 to $400 / t FOB the ports of the CIS.

Ammonium nitrate prices mainly matched the dynamics of urea prices during the third quarter.

The global market for phosphate fertilizers in the third quarter of 2012 showed low levels of activity. In September, there has been a downward trend in prices amid a lack of demand in South Asia (India, Pakistan).

Sales

As the demand for the Group’s products both in Russia and abroad was high and stable, the volume of sales in the first nine months of 2012 increased by 16% compared to the same period in 2011 and totalled 4,357 thousand tonnes for all products. Sales of urea, increased by 144%, largely contributed to the rise. Due to high demand in the ammonia market, sales of ammonia increased by 54%, while sales of ammonium nitrate decreased by 6%. Sales of “other chemicals” increased by 19%, mainly due to increased sales of ammonium nitrate for industrial use in the domestic market.

Financial Situation

Increased revenues contributed to the increase of cash generated from operations to US $472 million in the first nine months of 2012 rise, compared to US $330 million in the same period last year.

As at September 30, 2012 the Company’s net debt amounted to US $945 million. The weighted average interest rate in the loan portfolio during the first nine months of 2012 comprised 5.8% per annum compared to 7.9% in the same period last year.

For more information, please visit the company web site http://www.uralchem.com or use the following contact information:

PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@uralchem.com

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. is a holding company of the URALCHEM Group, which includes four fertilizer manufacturing facilities in Russia. URALCHEM Group is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tons of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tons of ammonia, 0.8 million tons of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tons of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tons of urea per year. URALCHEM Group is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. URALCHEM Group’s key production assets include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC, Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Business

URALCHEM OJSC Increases Production in the First Nine Months of 2012

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URALCHEM OJSC announces operating results for the first 9 months of 2012.

Moscow, Russia – November 15, 2012 — URALCHEM OJSC announces operating results for the first 9 months of 2012. Production from all the enterprises of the URALCHEM Group increased by 0.5% compared to the same period in 2011, amounting to a total of 4.398 million tonnes. The production of ammonia increased by 9% and there was an 8% increase in the production of urea. The production of chemicals for industrial use increased by 17%, mainly due to increased sales of nitric acid in the domestic market. The production of high-margin products also increased: diammonium phosphate (DAP) was re-launched and the production of complex fertilizers increased by 4%. The manufacture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium phosphate was reduced by 7% and 15% respectively.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC commented on the operating results for the first nine months of 2012, “Due to a number of successfully implemented modernization and technical upgrading projects, the company’s enterprises worked steadily throughout the first 9 months of 2012. As a result of the market conditions at that time, we focused on increasing the production of ammonia and high-margin products, at the same time reducing production of ammonium nitrate and ammonium phosphate.”

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For more information, please visit the company web site http://www.uralchem.com or use the following contact information:

PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@uralchem.com

URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. Key production assets of URALCHEM, OJSC include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Business

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. Reports Unaudited IFRS Financial Results for the First Half of 2012

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Moscow, Russia – August 03, 2012 — (For Immediate Release)

– Revenue increased to US $1,261 million, compared to US $1,035 million in H1 2011
– Operating profit increased to US $410 million, compared with US $288 million in H1 2011
– Adjusted EBITDA grew to US $462 million, compared to US $337 million in H1 2011
– Net profit amounted to US $444 million, compared with US $266 million in H1 2011

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. (hereinafter URALCHEM Holding or the Company), a Cypriot holding company of the URALCHEM Group (hereinafter the Group), one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia, announced its unaudited IFRS financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2012.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC (part of the Group), commented on the results for the first half of 2012, “We achieved good financial results in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2011. EBITDA increased by more than one-third, sales grew by 18% and reached 3 million tons. The good performance was driven by situation on the urea and ammonium nitrate markets, which was favourable for us, as well as acquisition of Minudobrenia OJSC and our own efforts aimed at improving the efficiency of enterprises, the modernization of production and our responsiveness to changing market needs.”

Financial Results

Revenue for the first half of 2012 grew to US $1,261 million, compared to US $1,035 million in the first half of 2011. Operating profit amounted to US $410 million, or 33% of the revenue, compared with the operating profit of US $288 million, or 28% of the revenue in the first half of 2011.

Net profit for the first half of 2012 amounted to US $444 million, compared to US $266 million in the first half of 2011.

During the first half of 2012, adjusted EBITDA reached US $462 million, compared to US $337 during the same period last year, a rise of 37%. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first half of 2012 comprised 37% of revenue compared with 33% of revenue for the first half of 2011.

Markets

During the second quarter of 2012 prices of mineral fertilisers and semi-products showed significantly different dynamics. Ammonia prices began to recover due to high demand and limited supply. During the second quarter the price grew by $150/t and by the end of June it reached $600/t FOB at the Yuzhny port.

Prices for urea increased until mid-May and surpassed the peak figures of 2011. Since mid-May there was a significant decline in prices due to low activity of buyers. In late June – early July, the urea market began to show signs of recovery.

Prices for ammonium nitrate repeated the dynamics of the urea market and grew rapidly until mid-May. However, the second half of the quarter was characterized by falling prices for the product, which was also due to low purchasing activity.

The global market of phosphate fertilisers was in the process of recovery during the second quarter of 2012. Due to strong demand in Latin America, spot prices recovered, despite the launch of Chinese products on the market. Market participants are forecasting a stable outlook for the third quarter of the year.

Sales

In the first six months of 2012 the Group’s product sales grew by 18% compared to the same period in 2011 and totalled 3 million tons. Due to the acquisition of OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm, sales of urea and ammonia increased significantly, by 117% and 61% respectively.

Financial Situation

Cash generated from operating activities in the first half of 2012 amounted to US $342 million compared with US $194 million in the first half of 2011.

On 30 June 2012, the Company’s net debt amounted to US $991 million. Interest expenses in the first half of 2012 decreased by US $23 million or 36% compared to the same period last year.

For more information, please visit the Company web site http://www.uralchem.com or use the following contact information:

PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89
E-Mail: pr@uralchem.com

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. is a holding company of the URALCHEM Group, which includes four fertilizer manufacturing facilities in Russia. URALCHEM Group is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tons of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tons of ammonia, 0.8 million tons of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tons of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tons of urea per year. URALCHEM Group is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. URALCHEM Group’s key production assets include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC, Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Business

URALCHEM’s Production in 2011 exceeds 5 Million Tonnes

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URALCHEM OJSC announces operating results for the year 2011. The production volume of URALCHEM holding enterprises during 2011 increased by 5% compared to 2010.

Moscow, Russia – February 03, 2012 — URALCHEM OJSC announces operating results for the year 2011. The production volume of URALCHEM holding enterprises during 2011 increased by 5% compared to 2010, amounting to a total of 5,093 million tonnes. The production of ammonium nitrate increased by 6%. Due to market conditions, the production of DAP was reduced in favour of increasing the production of more marketable MAP, the output of which increased by 31%. The production of other types of fertilisers grew by 82% due to the increase of sales of new fertiliser products and the start of their export sales. The production of other chemicals grew by 22% due to the increase in domestic sales of sulphuric and nitric acid, as well as the increase in sales of the products by the nitrite-nitrate salt division at the Azot Branch.

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC commented on the operating results for the year 2011: “In 2011, the production volume of URALCHEM enterprises exceeded 5 million tonnes for the first time. With the purchase of OJSC Minudobrenia in Perm the company will strengthen its position in the nitrogen market and will become the second largest producer of urea in Russia.”

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PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Telephone: +7 (495) 721 89 89
pr@uralchem.com

PR representative in the UK and Ireland
Eva Smit
Tel: +44 (0) 7538 978986
E-Mail: eva.smit@holdensmit.com

URALCHEM, OJSC is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tonnes of ammonia, 0.8 million tonnes of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tonnes of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tonnes of urea. URALCHEM, OJSC is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. Key production assets of URALCHEM, OJSC include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC Branch in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of URALCHEM. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions. We do not intend to update these statements and our actual results may differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.