CF Industries delays turnaround to ease supply concerns

CF Industries has delayed a planned multi-week maintenance turnaround at its Donaldsonville, Louisiana complex, the world’s largest ammonia production facility, in response to the supply disruption caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure, the producer announced in a press release. The company said the decision is expected to make approximately 100,000 tonnes of additional granular urea available to US customers during the spring application season. CF Industries added that it is also prioritising new sales to domestic customers over higher-priced export orders for the duration of the spring planting season.

The company separately confirmed it is currently operating at a 97% gross ammonia utilisation rate, leaving little room to increase output further in the near term. A new ammonia plant in Louisiana, announced last year in partnership with Japan’s JERA and Mitsui, is not expected to come online until 2029.