The first phase of what would be the world's largest potash fertilizer-manufacturing center was put into operation on Dec 18 in northwestern China.

The project, located in Luobupo in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has a capacity of producing 1.2 million tons of potash fertilizer per year.

The first phase of the fertilizer facility has cost a total investment of 4.8 billion yuan (US$700 million) since April 2006, the majority of which was from the State Development and Investment Corporation, a major State-owned investment company.

The second phase of the project, which was launched on Dec 18, is expected to be completed in four years. It will make the center the world's largest potash fertilizer-manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 3 million tons.

(China Daily December 19, 2008)