TOPIC PAGE: Sustainability in the fertilizers industry
Erica Sesay
19-May-2022
Updated on 19 May.
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
Canadian Nutrien plans to build world’s
largest clean ammonia facility in
Louisiana
By Mark Milam 18-May-22 23:31 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Canadian fertilizer producer Nutrien
announced it is evaluating Geismar, Louisiana
as the site to build the world’s largest clean
ammonia facility, which it estimates could
achieve output of 1.2m tonnes/year.
Japan’s JGC Holdings awards green
ammonia plant contract to
KBR
By Jonathan Lopez 11-May-22 16:50 MADRID
(ICIS)–KBR is to license its green ammonia
technology and provide basic engineering to JGC
Holdings’ new plant in Japan, the US
engineering services firm said on Wednesday.
US ReMo Energy launches green ammonia
product to address fertilizer cost and climate
change
By Mark Milam 10-May-22 23:03 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–US company ReMo Energy has announced
the launch of its first commercial product, a
renewable fertilizer which it says addresses
the combined challenges of high fertilizer
costs and climate change.
Norway’s Yara evaluates potential stock
listing of Yara Clean Ammonia unit on Oslo
Stock Exchange
By Nurluqman Suratman 04-May-2022 SINGAPORE
(ICIS)–Yara is evaluating a potential initial
public offering (IPO) of its Yara Clean Ammonia
(YCA) business on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the
Norwegian fertilizer major said on Wednesday.
Saskatchewan government extends 4R
Nutrient Stewardship agreement for three more
years
By Mark Milam 29-Apr-22 17:25 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–The government of Saskatchewan
announced it has re-signed a 2016 memorandum of
co-operation (MOC) with Fertilizer Canada to
continue their 4R Nutrient Stewardship efforts
in the province for an additional three years.
Anuvia Plant Nutrients secures funding
to scale US production of sustainable
fertilizer
By Mark Milam 27-Apr-22 19:57 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Fertilizer manufacturer Anuvia Plant
Nutrients has announced it raised $65.5m to
increase production capacity at its US based
manufacturing facility and expand
commercialization of its bio-based fertilizers.
Verde AgriTech announces technology to
incorporate microorganisms in fertilizer
products
By Mark Milam 26-Apr-22 19:53 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Verde AgriTech announced that it has
created a new technology that enables the
incorporation of microorganisms to Verde’s
multinutrient potassium fertilizers branded as
Bio Revolution.
Bayer to partner with Ginkgo to produce
sustainable fertilizers
By Erica Sesay 25-Apr-22 12:10 LONDON
(ICIS)–Germany’s Bayer AG and US-based biotech
company Ginkgo Bioworks are pursuing an
agreement to produce more environmentally
friendly nitrogen fertilizers and agricultural
solutions.
OCI looking to expand Texas nitrogen
output and create renewable fuel
plant
By Mark Milam 21-Apr-22 23:09 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Fertilizer producer OCI is looking at
expanding its existing ammonia and methanol
complex located near Beaumont, Texas, by adding
increased nitrogen production. The company is
also planning a renewable fuel plant which will
convert lumber waste synthesis gas which would
then be turned into methanol that OCI would
utilise to create renewable gasoline.
Australia Orica and H2U Group partner
on Gladstone green ammonia
project
By Mark Milam 12-Apr-22 20:59 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Australian fertilizers and explosive
manufacturer Orica and H2U Group (H2U) have
announced a strategic partnership agreement to
initiate the first phase of the proposed H2-Hub
Gladstone green ammonia project in Queensland.
Canada sets tax credit of up to 60% for
carbon capture projects
By Stefan Baumgarten 08-Apr-22 15:50 TORONTO
(ICIS)–Canada’s federal government will grant
a tax credit of up to 60% for investments in
carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS)
projects.
Keras Resources increases ownership of
the Diamond Creek Phosphate Mine in
Utah
By Mark Milam 04-Apr-22 22:37 HOUSTON
(ICIS)–Mineral resource company Keras
Resources announced that it now owns 100% of
Falcon Isle Resources and Falcon Isle Holdings
which owns the high-grade Diamond Creek organic
phosphate lease and mine and the Spanish Fork
processing facility in Utah.
UK delays urea restrictions to support
farmers as fertilizer costs at record
high
By Deepika Thapliyal 30-Mar-22 10:23 LONDON
(ICIS)–The UK has delayed introducing
restrictions on the use of urea by at least a
year to support farmers with fertilizer
availability and keep their costs down, the
nation’s Department of Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 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.
DEFRA CONSULTATIONS EXPLAINED
The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched a consultation at the beginning of November 2020 on reducing ammonia emissions from urea fertilizers. The consultation ran until 26 January 2021.
It set out three options for tackling ammonia emissions:
- A total ban on solid urea fertilizers
- A requirement to stabilise solid urea fertilizers with the addition of a urease inhibitor.
- A requirement to restrict the spreading of solid urea fertilizers to between 15 January and 31 March of a given year.
Liquid urea is excluded from any new rules or restrictions.
DEFRA is currently analysing the feedback received.
In March 2022, DEFRA announced that it had delayed introducing restrictions on the use of urea by at least a year to support farmers with fertilizer availability and keep their costs down
Should DEFRA decide to restrict the use of urea in the future, growers would be left with just ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers.
PREVIOUS NEWS HEADLINES
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
ICIS Premium news service
The subscription platform provides access to our full range of breaking news and analysis
Contact us now to find out more
Speak with ICIS
Now, more than ever, dynamic insights are key to navigating complex, volatile commodity markets. Access to expert insights on the latest industry developments and tracking market changes are vital in making sustainable business decisions.
Want to learn about how we can work together to bring you actionable insight and support your business decisions?
Need Help?