TOPIC PAGE: Sustainability in the fertilizers industry

Updated on 25 January with the latest headlines.

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

BASF and Cargill extend enzymes business and distribution to US
By Morgan Condon 25-Jan-23 12:59 LONDON (ICIS)–BASF and Cargill are expanding their partnership by rolling out their enzyme solutions to animal protein producers in the US, the German major announced on Wednesday.

Saudi Aramco awards sulphur facilities overhaul contract to Technip
By Erica Sesay 24-Jan-23 12:50 LONDON (ICIS)–Saudi Aramco has awarded a contract to engineering firm Technip Energies to upgrade the sulphur recovery facilities at its Riyadh refinery, Technip announced on Tuesday.

The contract covers improving the performance of the existing three sulphur recovery units to comply with more stringent regulations for sulphur dioxide emissions, with recovery efficiency at more than 99.9%.

India sets green hydrogen targets for shipping, oil & gas, fertilizer sectors
By Priya Jestin 16-Jan-23 09:42 MUMBAI (ICIS)–As part of its aim to achieve its net zero carbon emission goal by 2070, the Indian government has released a blueprint for its National Green Hydrogen Mission which has set consumption targets for various industries, including the oil and gas and fertilizer industrie

Germany misses climate target despite lower energy consumption

By Stefan Baumgarten 06-Jan-23 16:00 LONDON (ICIS)–Germany missed its 2022 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction target despite declining energy consumption and an increase in the use of renewables, according to a study this week.

TFI reacts to US Congress passing the Water Resources Development Act
By Mark Milam 19-Dec-22 22:00 HOUSTON (ICIS)–The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) said it applauds the US Congress for passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, a key piece of legislation related to the nation’s water infrastructure.

Helm becomes a shareholder in UK bio-fertilizer company Unium Bioscience
By Sylvia Traganida 13-Dec-22 14:19 LONDON (ICIS)–German fertilizers trader and producer Helm has agreed to acquire an undisclosed share in UK bio-fertilizer company Unium Bioscience.

Yara inks deal to deliver fossil-free green fertilizers to Argentina
By Sylvia Traganida 02-Dec-22 13:49 LONDON (ICIS)–Yara has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with El Parque Papas to deliver green fertilizers to Argentina in 2023, the Norwegian fertilizer major said.

Canadian firms plan fuel cell generator pilot using green ammonia
By Stefan Baumgarten 22-Nov-22 14:40 TORONTO (ICIS)–Canadian firms AmmPower and Alkaline Fuel Cell Power (“PWWR”) have signed a non-binding letter of intent to form a joint venture for a fuel cell generator pilot project running on green ammonia, officials said on Tuesday.

Deepak Fertilizers awards contract to reduce emissions, increase productivity
By Erica Sesay 08-Nov-22 11:54 LONDON (ICIS)–India’s Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation (DFPCL) has awarded a contract to engineering firm KBR to help three of its plants achieve lower emissions and higher production capacity, KBR announced.

Saudi Aramco launches $1.5bn sustainability fund to support net zero ambition
By Nurluqman Suratman 27-Oct-22 04:06 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Saudi Aramco is creating a $1.5bn sustainability fund to invest in technologies to support its announced net-zero ambition by 2050 as well as the development of new lower-carbon fuels, the oil giant said late on Wednesday.

CF Industries and ExxonMobil plan CCS project in Louisiana
By Stefan Baumgarten 12-Oct-22 20:30 HOUSTON (ICIS)–US fertilizer company CF Industries has entered an agreement with ExxonMobil to capture and permanently store up to 2m tonnes/year of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its manufacturing complex in Louisiana, officials said on Wednesday.

Canada’s plan to cut fertilizer emissions is voluntary – minister
By Stefan Baumgarten 19-Aug-22 16:02 TORONTO (ICIS)–The Canadian federal government’s target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizers is voluntary, not mandatory, agricultural minister Marie Claude Bibeau said.

Canada’s fertilizer emission goal raises food production concerns
By Erica Sesay 16-Aug-22 15:38 LONDON (ICIS)–Canada’s emission lowering goal has raised some concerns in the agriculture sector about a possible reduction in the country’s future crop yields.

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.

PREVIOUS  NEWS HEADLINES

Vopak preparing for green ammonia handling and storage at Vlissingen, the Netherlands

US ADM and PepsiCo. announce agreement to reduce carbon intensity

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

Northern Nutrients produces new nitrogen sulphur fertilizer, targets autumn sales

Ameropa and Hynfra sign deal to explore green ammonia, methanol

Canada invests about $1.7m towards high-efficiency fertilizer

Highfield Resources announces launch of community initiative at Muga Potash project

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

US ReMo Energy launches green ammonia product to address fertilizer cost and climate change

Norway’s Yara evaluates potential stock listing of Yara Clean Ammonia unit on Oslo Stock Exchange

Saskatchewan government extends 4R Nutrient Stewardship agreement for three more years

Anuvia Plant Nutrients secures funding to scale US production of sustainable fertilizer

Verde AgriTech announces technology to incorporate microorganisms in fertilizer products

Bayer to partner with Ginkgo to produce sustainable fertilizers

OCI looking to expand Texas nitrogen output and create renewable fuel plant

Australia Orica and H2U Group partner on Gladstone green ammonia project

Canada sets tax credit of up to 60% for carbon capture projects

Keras Resources increases ownership of the Diamond Creek Phosphate Mine in Utah

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

Sri Lanka reinstates ban on import of chemical fertilizers

Nutrien to cut greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030

RESOURCES

IFA – Fertilizers and climate change 

TFI – Sustainability report