PhosAgro Scales Up Its Digital Platform for Fertilizer Production

Digital Transformation for Fertilizer Manufacturing

PhosAgro, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate-based fertilizers and a key supplier for Russian agriculture, is entering a new stage of digitalization. The company, which operates mining and processing plants in Murmansk, Vologda, Saratov, and Leningrad regions, continues to integrate advanced digital tools into its production and management systems. 

At the company’s Volkhov branch of Apatit JSC, several digital projects have already been launched, including the “Mobile Inspector” app equipped with NFC tags that are installed directly on industrial equipment. These wireless markers automatically transmit data about machine conditions to the central corporate platform, allowing maintenance teams to respond faster to technical issues and reducing the risk of human error. 

“NFC helps us spot malfunctions early. The data is instantly uploaded to the database, so relevant teams are immediately notified,” said Eduard Khayrulin, a reliability engineer at Apatit. “We get a complete picture of the equipment’s health, making diagnostics easier and preventing breakdowns.”

Smart Warehousing and Workforce Management

For product logistics, PhosAgro has implemented an RFID-based tracking system at its finished goods warehouses. Each pallet is equipped with an NFC tag, enabling automated scanning and faster inventory management and shipping operations. 

“The architecture of our new software is entirely free from imported components, ensuring independence and high security standards. The domestically developed management system allows us to quickly adapt to technological changes without relying on foreign support. Its flexibility gives us vast opportunities for automating production processes across our facilities.”

Igor Kurashov

IT Director at Apatit JSC

“Every product unit is tagged for automated accounting and faster dispatching,” said Valery Semenov, a software engineer at Apatit. “It minimizes the human factor and ensures traceability.” 

PhosAgro’s corporate platform “Pro PhosAgro,” which now connects nearly 24,000 employees, provides digital tools for internal communication, task tracking, and shift scheduling. The platform streamlines workflow organization and automates reporting. Employees also use an internal “Ask the CEO” communication channel, giving line staff a direct voice to corporate leadership. 

New features are being added to the “My Finances” section, allowing workers to track performance-based bonuses, salary dynamics, and receive personalized financial planning recommendations. These tools make industrial management more transparent and employee engagement more data-driven.

Building Russia’s Digital Industrial Ecosystem

At the recent Forum of Future Technologies, PhosAgro presented its key digital initiatives under the theme “Technological Leadership and Digital Sovereignty in the Chemical Industry.” According to Denis Novikov, CEO of Apatit JSC, the company’s priorities include replacing foreign IT infrastructure, developing proprietary software, and leveraging data analytics to boost operational efficiency. 

Major upgrades to digital infrastructure have already been achieved: core production systems are now powered by domestic hardware and software. This strategic shift demonstrates that large Russian industrial groups can effectively deploy homegrown digital platforms, stimulating the growth of the national IT sector. 

The PhosAgro experience is being viewed as a model that can be replicated across Russia’s industrial landscape and potentially adapted for international markets. Joint projects between industrial IT specialists and leading developers could form the basis for future export-oriented digital solutions for developing countries’ chemical and agricultural industries.