The 676,500-tonne-a-year (t/y) facility will be located at the existing Razi petrochemical complex. There are already two ammonia facilities at the site, which produce 330,000 t/y each.

Bidders for the scheme include Germany's KruppUhdeand Italy's Snamprogetti, as well as an unidentified Japanese company.

The two European companies have been frequent bidders on local fertiliser projects in recent years.

NPC is also preparing to receive bids by 23 February for a polyvinyl chloride plant in Bandar Imam. Several international firms co-operating with local partners were prequalified last year to bid for the 300,000-t/y unit.

International/local partnerships have also submitted bids to provide technology and basic engineering for an 80,000-t/y soda ash plant in the southern province of Shiraz. NPC is evaluating the proposals.