A pivotal moment in 2024 sees Agven Fertilizer Company launching its test operations on a 10-acre site in Gwadar North Free Zone, also known as Gwadar Free Zone Phase II, during the first week of February.

Agven Private Limited emerges as the first investor to establish an industry in this zone, setting a new precedent in scale and manufacturing. "Our production facility begins with an annual capacity of 20,000 tons of sulphuric acid. Initially, our plans included a sulphate of Potash and sulphuric acid plant," an Agven official told Gwadar Pro.

The chemical facility is slated for a later phase. Currently, the plant produces Hydrochloric acid (HCL) as a by-product, with sulphate of Potash as the primary output. "We use raw materials such as calcium carbonate, vanadium oxide, water, and LPG, with sulphur to be added later for sulphuric acid production. Test production of the fertilizer has begun successfully, with commercial operations set to start later this month for both export and tariff areas," the official explained.

Operating under temporary provisions like electricity and water supplied by China Overseas Port Holding Company, the Agven factory is fully functional. Regular operations will commence once infrastructure projects, including power lines, fiber optics, roads, sewerage, and drainage, are completed.

"The factory's construction began last year and was completed swiftly, creating hundreds of job opportunities and offering significant business prospects to local suppliers of raw materials and daily commodities," stated Project Coordinator Mr. Arslan to Gwadar Pro.

He added that once operations begin, it will encourage other investors to enter the Gwadar Free Zone. Raw materials like sulphur and sulphuric acid will be imported from Iran and Central Asia for fertilizer production.

"Local manufacturing and customs duty exemptions will make fertilizer production cost-effective and competitive, boosting Pakistan’s export potential," he concluded.