TOPIC PAGE: Sustainability in the fertilizers industry
Erica Sesay
27-Mar-2024
This page is no longer updated and is held on the ICIS archive.
On this topic page, we gather the latest news, analysis and resources, to help you to keep track of developments in the area of sustainability in the fertilizers industry.
LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
New urea
application rules to be implemented in England
from 1 April
By Deepika Thapliyal 27-Mar-24 LONDON
(ICIS)–In England, famers will only be able to
apply solid or liquid urea that is treated with
an inhibitor from 1 April, according to new
regulations from the Department for
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
that come into force next month.
UPM Biochemicals launches new range of bio-based plant stimulants By Sylvia Traganida 27-Mar-24 LONDON (ICIS)–UPM Biochemicals has launched a new range of bio-based plant stimulants which is an alternative to fossil raw materials-based products, the Finnish paper and renewable chemicals firm said on Tuesday.
Mabanaft signs
letter of intent for supply of green ammonia
from Canada
By Sylvia Traganida 19-Mar-24 LONDON
(ICIS)–Germany-headquartered energy firm
Mabanaft has signed a letter of intent (LOI)
with US-based Pattern Energy for the supply of
green ammonia to Mabanaft.
Yara Growth Ventures invests in electrolysis technology for low-cost renewable hydrogen By Sylvia Traganida 08-Mar-24 LONDON (ICIS)–Norwegian fertilizer major Yara has invested in Danish electrolysis technology company Dynelectro through its corporate venture capital team Yara Growth Ventures.
Yara signs
agreement with Acme Cleantech subsidiary on
green ammonia
By Sylvia Traganida 01-Mar-24 LONDON
(ICIS)–Norwegian fertilizer major Yara has
signed an agreement with GHC SAOC for supply of
ammonia with reduced carbon emissions from Acme
to Yara on a long-term basis.
Idemitsu to join US clean ammonia project By Stefan Baumgarten 27-Feb-24 LONDON (ICIS)–Idemitsu Kosan has agreed to join a 1.2 million tonne/year clean ammonia project that Mitsubishi Corp and Proman plan to develop at Lake Charles, Louisiana, US, it said on Tuesday.
Germany’s Heraeus invests in Japanese ammonia tech company By Stefan Baumgarten 22-Feb-24 LONDON (ICIS)–German technology group Heraeus has invested an undisclosed amount in Tsubame BHB, a Japanese company that has developed a precious metal-based technology for decentralized ammonia production.
Malaysia’s PCG, Sarawak Petchem agree to study low-carbon ammonia and urea plant By Nurluqman Suratman 21-Feb-24 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Malaysia’s PETRONAS Chemicals Group (PCG) and methanol producer Sarawak Petchem on Wednesday signed an agreement for a joint feasibility study aimed at establishing a low-carbon ammonia and urea production facility in Bintulu, Sarawak.
Egypt’s Helwan signs agreement to produce black urea By Deepika Thapliyal 20-Feb-24 LONDON (ICIS)–In Egypt, Helwan has signed an agreement with SML-INNO UK Ltd to set up the world’s first vertical integrated unit to produce black urea, with a capacity of 130,000 tonnes annually, the company said today.
EU eases climate
proposals after widespread farmer
protests
By Chris Vlachopoulos 07-Feb-24 LONDON
(ICIS)–European Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen announced on Tuesday that the EU
has agreed to ease key demands in its climate
proposal plans, following intense protests from
farmers.
Tecnimont awarded engineering contract for Portugal green hydrogen, ammonia plant By Graeme Paterson 05-Feb-24 LONDON (ICIS)–Tecnimont has been awarded an engineering contract to develop an integrated green hydrogen and green ammonia plant at Sines, Portugal, its parent company Maire said.
EU CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM (CBAM) EXPLAINED
What is it?
The risk of carbon leakage frustrates the EU’s efforts to meet climate objectives. It occurs when companies transfer production to countries that are less strict on emissions, or when EU products are replaced by more carbon-intensive imports.
This new mechanism would counteract this risk by putting a carbon price on imports of certain goods from outside of the EU.
How will it work?
EU importers will buy carbon certificates corresponding to the carbon price that would have been paid, had the goods been produced under the EU’s carbon pricing rules.
Conversely, once a non-EU producer can show that they have already paid a price for the carbon used in the production of the imported goods, the corresponding cost can be fully deducted for the EU importer.
This will help reduce the risk of carbon leakage by encouraging producers in non-EU countries to make their production processes greener.
A reporting system will apply from 2023 with the objective of facilitating a smooth roll out and to facilitate dialogue with non-EU countries. Importers will start paying a financial adjustment in 2026.
How is the fertilizer industry affected?
The fertilizer industry is one of the sectors to fall under the CBAM.
The more energy-intensive nitrogen fertilizers will be affected most in the sector by the mechanism.
NEW UREA APPLICATION NORMS IN ENGLAND
The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has imposed new regulations on urea application in England.
Famers will only be able to apply solid or liquid urea that is treated with an inhibitor from 1 April.
The move is aimed to reduce ammonia emissions, and would increase costs for farmers by an estimated £40/tonne.
The new rules apply to any fertilizer that contains 1% or more of urea nitrogen, with applications of solid urea or liquid (urea ammonium nitrate) fertilizer from 1 April having to include a urease inhibitor
Untreated solid urea or liquid UAN fertilizer can be applied between 15 January to 31 March each year.
Untreated liquid UAN fertiliser can be applied after 1 April if agronomic justification is provided by a certified fertilizers advisor, mentioning ammonia losses will be at or below the level of when a urease inhibitor is included.
Foliar urea applications targeting the crop, using normal spray nozzles do not require a urease inhibitor.
The implementation of the Defra regulations was delayed by two years due to higher fertilizer prices and lack of supply following the covid pandemic and the Ukraine war.
PREVIOUS NEWS HEADLINES
EU proposes relaxation in policy following farmer protests
Biden Administration invests $207m in domestic fertilizer and clean energy endeavours
Brazil’s state of Ceara, Bp sign MoU for green hydrogen site
Atome Energy in talks with buyers for green fertilizer from Paraguay unit
Sweden’s Cinis targets Asia potash market with Itochu partnership
Helwan selects Eurotecnica’s Euromel G5 technology for new melamine facility in Egypt
India’s Adani Group plans $24bn green energy park; RIL to commission giga complex
INPEX and LSB pick technology for US ammonia project
Bayer partners with energy firms on hydrogen cluster in Germany
S Korean group picks KBR tech for Malaysian green ammonia project
Abu Qir signs MoU for green ammonia project in Egypt
Yara aims to launch first container ship to run off clean ammonia
India’s Odisha state approves green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol projects
ADM announces launch of regenerative agriculture program in Brazil
Fertiglobe completes first renewable ammonia shipment with carbon certification
Allied Green Ammonia picks Topsoe’s tech for Australia project
Germany’s VNG looks to secure offtake from Norwegian low carbon ammonia plant
Gentari enters into agreement with AM Green to invest into a green ammonia delivery platform
ITOCHU Corporation, Orascom Construction sign MOU for development of ammonia bunkering in Suez Canal
India developing port infrastructure for green hydrogen exports
S Korea, Saudi Arabia firms sign 46 pacts, includes blue ammonia project
INSIGHT: CBAM reporting begins, fertilizer exporters to EU challenged to account for carbon
KBR to supply green ammonia tech to Madoqua Power2X site in Portugal
Germany’s SOM to build green hydrogen, ammonia facility in Brazil’s Piaui state
US ADM and Syngenta sign MoU to collaborate on low carbon oilseeds to meet biofuel demand
Tecnicas Reunidas, Allied Green Ammonia to build green hydrogen and green ammonia plant in Australia
Australian fertilizer producer Orica accelerates climate change targets
Nestle, Cargill and CCm Technologies launch joint UK trial on sustainable fertilizer
EnBW acquires stake in planned Norwegian ammonia plant
Yara Germany signs agreement for decarbonisation of cereal cultivation using green fertilizers
Hyphen, ITOCHU ink MoU to explore potential Namibia hydrogen collaboration
INSIGHT: BASF grapples with demand trough, slow road back
SABIC AN ships low-carbon urea to New Zealand
US Cargill and John Deere collaborate to enable revenue for farmers adopting sustainability
Canada’s Lucent Bio announces approval of biodegradable nutrient delivery patent
Aker, Statkraft’s 10-year PPA to spur European renewable ammonia push further
BASF, Yara Clean Ammonia to evaluate low-carbon blue ammonia production facility in US Gulf Coast
Yara Clean Ammonia, Cepsa to launch clean hydrogen maritime corridor
EU details CBAM reporting obligations
Saudi Arabia’s Ma’aden exports its first low-carbon blue ammonia shipments to China
US Bunge and Nutrien Ag announce alliance to support sustainable farming practices
Maire subsidiary Stamicarbon wins US green ammonia engineering contract
India’s IFFCO launches liquid nano-DAP fertilizer
EU Parliament backs CBAM, emissions trading measures
OCP granted €100m green loan to build solar plants at Morocco facilities
EU unveils plans to tackle greenwashing
India’s IFFCO and CIL to manufacture nano DAP for three years
USDA awards Ostara funds to boost sustainable phosphate fertilizer output
Canadian prime minister confirms fertilizer emission goal is voluntary
US fertilizers industry increases carbon capture in 2021 – TFI
Indian president calls for reduction in chemical fertilizer use
IFFCO plans to export nano urea to 25 countries
Amman selects Elessent Clean Technologies for Indonesia sulphuric acid plant
Lotte Chemical forms clean ammonia consultative body with RWE and Mitsubishi Corporation
Global 2020-2021 specialty fertilizer demand growth led by north America, Asia
BASF and Cargill extend enzymes business and distribution to US
Saudi Aramco awards sulphur facilities overhaul contract to Technip
India sets green hydrogen targets for shipping, oil & gas, fertilizer sectors
Germany misses climate target despite lower energy consumption
TFI reacts to US Congress passing the Water Resources Development ActHelm becomes a shareholder in UK bio-fertilizer company Unium Bioscience
Yara inks deal to deliver fossil-free green fertilizers to Argentina
Canadian firms plan fuel cell generator pilot using green ammonia
Deepak Fertilizers awards contract to reduce emissions, increase productivity
Saudi Aramco launches $1.5bn sustainability fund to support net zero ambition
CF Industries and ExxonMobil plan CCS project in Louisiana
Canada’s plan to cut fertilizer emissions is voluntary – minister
Canada’s fertilizer emission goal raises food production concerns
Uniper, Vesta to cooperate on renewable ammonia site in the Netherlands
German Uniper to work with Japan’s JERA on US clean ammonia projects
ADNOC ships first cargo of low-carbon ammonia to Germany
US Mosaic and BioConsortia expand collaboration to microbial biostimulant
IMO deems Mediterranean Sea area for sulphur oxides emissions control
Canada’s Soilgenic launches new enhanced efficiency fertilizers technology for retail
Austria’s Borealis aims to produce 1.8m tonnes/year of circular products by 2030
European Parliament rejects proposed carbon market reform
IFA ’22: southern Africa looks to bio-fertilizer as cheaper, sustainable option
IFA ’22: Indian farmers will struggle to embrace specialty fertilizers – producer
Canadian Nutrien plans to build world’s largest clean ammonia facility in Louisiana
Japan’s JGC Holdings awards green ammonia plant contract to KBR
Bayer to partner with Ginkgo to produce sustainable fertilizers
Australia Orica and H2U Group partner on Gladstone green ammonia project
Canada sets tax credit of up to 60% for carbon capture projects
UK delays urea restrictions to support farmers as fertilizer costs at record high
EU states agree to back carbon border tax
Yara to develop novel green fertilizer from recycled nutrients
USDA announces plans for $250m grant programme to support American-made fertilizer
Canada seeks guidance to achieve fertilizer emissions target
Fertilizer titan Pupuk Indonesia develops hydrogen/blue ammonia business
India
launches green hydrogen/ammonia policy, targets
exports
Canada AmmPower to develop green hydrogen and
ammonia facility in Louisiana
US DOE awards grant to project to recover rare earth elements from phosphate production
Fertiglobe, Masdar, Engie to develop green hydrogen for ammonia production
Czech Republic’s Spolana enhances granular AS production
India’s Reliance to invest $80bn in green energy projects
Yara, Sweden’s Lantmannen aim to commercialise green ammonia by 2023
Novatek and Uniper target Russia to Germany blue-ammonia supply chain
Fertz giant Yara goes green with electrification of Norwegian factoryCanada
Arianne Phosphate exploring use of phosphate for hydrogen technology
FAO and IFA renew MoU to promote sustainable fertilizer use
Sumitomo Chemical, Yara to explore clean ammonia collaboration
Sri Lanka revokes ban on imports
Tokyo scientists convert bioplastic into nitrogen fertilizer
Aramco plans Saudi green hydrogen, ammonia project
China announces action plan for carbon peaking & neutrality
Saudi Aramco targets net zero emissions from operations by 2050
Fertiglobe goes green with Red Sea zero-carbon ammonia pro
Australian fertilizer major Incitec Pivot teams up for green ammonia study
INTERVIEW: BASF to scale up new decarbonisation tech in second half of decade – CEO
India asks fertilizer companies to speed up production of nano DAP
Japan’s Itochu set to receive first cargo of blue ammonia for fertilizer use
Norway’s Yara acquires recycled fertilizers maker Ecolan
Bayer Funds US start-up aims to cut nitrogen fertilizer use by 30%
BP: Green ammonia production in Australia feasible, but needs huge investment
Origin and MOL explore shipping green ammonia from Australia
India’s IFFCO seeks to export nano urea fertilizer
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