CUFL resumes production after 27-day shutdown

The state-owned Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) in Anwara resumed production on Friday, 27 days after a mechanical fault forced the factory to shut down.

CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman confirmed the development, saying urea production resumed around 3am.

“If the factory can continue production without any further disruption, it will be possible to meet the target set for the current fiscal year,” he said.

Production at the nearly 40-year-old factory stopped on the night of 17 October due to a mechanical fault. The shutdown came less than a month after the factory had resumed operations following repairs.

CUFL had earlier remained shut for six months due to a gas shortage. Production restarted on 15 September after gas supply was restored, but the factory had to suspend operations again within 48 hours because of another mechanical problem.

CUFL sources said the production halt was causing losses of more than Tk3 crore a day.

When fully operational, the factory has the capacity to produce around 500 tonnes of ammonia and 1,200 tonnes of urea a day.

Mizanur Rahman said the factory's age and recurring mechanical problems made it difficult to predict when it might shut down again.

“Some mechanical problems remain at the factory. We are trying to address them gradually,” he said.