Suiso, a South African company specialising in blue ammonia production, is set to invest $1.7 billion (R31.5 billion) in a state-of-the-art coal-to-fertiliser facility in Kriel, Mpumalanga.
Founded in 2019 by four local entrepreneurs, Suiso is driving sustainable energy solutions, food security, and responsible resource management.
The project, backed by businesswoman and former Miss South Africa Basetsana Kumalo as a black economic empowerment partner, promises to create 4,000 jobs during construction (slated for 2026) and 981 permanent positions upon operational launch in 2029.
The facility will produce 1.5 million tons of nitrogen-based fertilisers annually, replacing South Africa’s import of 1.2 million tons of urea fertilisers, saving foreign exchange and shielding the agricultural sector from volatile global supply chains.
Additionally, it will produce 234,000 tons of clean, zero-sulphur blue methanol annually, aligning with South Africa’s pending Fuel Act of 2027. Advanced decarbonisation and carbon capture technologies will enhance sustainability, while PurActive-coated fertilisers will boost crop yields by up to 5%.
Suiso’s partnerships with global leaders like Sinopec Ningbo Engineering, Stamicarbon, and ETG emphasises its commitment to excellence and community upliftment. ETG will distribute Suiso’s fertilisers across Africa, supporting local agriculture and long-term food security.
“This is more than a fertiliser project,” says Suiso founder Paul Erskine.
“It’s a commitment to South Africa’s economic empowerment, food security, and sustainable development. With global partnerships, innovative technologies, and a focus on community upliftment, we are set to redefine the agricultural and economic landscape of the sub-continent.”
The project also includes workforce development initiatives, such as the onsite Gerhard Potgieter Engineering Training College, which will upskill 400 people, building a skilled labour pool for the region. Located on a 900-hectare site, Suiso’s inland operations reduce logistical costs, benefiting farmers directly. Discussions for a 15-year renewable energy power purchase agreement further solidify Suiso’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
By addressing Sub-Saharan Africa’s urgent food security challenges, Suiso’s facility will play a pivotal role in nourishing crops and supporting the UN’s goal of increasing global food production by 60% by 2050.
