Category: Europe

MaireGroup says that its NextChem subsidiary has completed the acquisition of the Ballestra group, a leading player in the licensing, design and engineering of processing plants, as well as in the supply of proprietary technologies and equipment for the chemical industry. NextChem says that the integration of Ballestra significantly strengthens its technology portfolio in phosphate and potassium fertilizers and completes its coverage of the full NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) spectrum. At the same time, it provides access to new segments with high growth potential, particularly in chemistry for the production and circularity of strategic materials needed to develop and expand electrification, where Nextchem is already present with metals recovery technologies following the recent acquisition of ETEK.

On May 23, a drone attack was reportedly carried out on the Metafrax methanol plant in Russia’s Perm region, according to state media. According to the region’s governor, Dmitry Makhonin, there were no casualties. Metafrax Chemicals was previously attacked in September 2025, and February 17 and March 11, 2026. In February, local residents reported at least six explosions, and plant workers were evacuated.

HyOrc Corporation says that it has secured financing for the first module of its 8 t/d (2,650 t/a) waste-to-methanol facility in Porto, Portugal. Manufacturing is actively underway for an initial modular unit capable of producing up to 1 t/d of green methanol, targeted for shipment in September 2026. The plant uses municipal waste as a feedstock, gasifying it and converting it into syngas for downstream methanol synthesis. HyOrc has previously completed a 25 t/d gasifier in Coimbatore, India, and a 3 t/d waste to methanol unit in Assam, India (May 2026).

Romanian state-controlled gas supplier Romgaz signed an agreement 29 May to acquire all production assets of fertilizer producer Azomures for a total consideration of approximately euro 69 million ($80.15 million), according to a report filed with the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The transaction price comprises euro 46.46 million ($53.96 million) for the plant assets, plus up to $11 million for the book value of consumables and raw materials, and $15 million to cover operating costs during the period between signing and completion. The deal is financed entirely from Romgaz's own sources. The transaction completion remains subject to approval by Romgaz's Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, an unconditional clearance from Romania's Competition Council, and approval from Bucharest's Foreign Direct Investment Screening Commission (CEISD).

Axens has agreed to acquire Air Liquide’s Methanol to Olefins technology portfolio, including the Lurgi Methanol to Propylene (MTP™) process, to strengthen its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) offering via a Methanol to Jet (MTJ) route.

Environment Committee MEPs have backed changes to strengthen the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), voting to extend it to a long list of downstream steel and aluminium products, tighten anti circumvention rules and set up a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund (TDF) for industry.

Ostara has released a higher analysis grade of its CG P2X phosphate fertilizer, taking it to 9 42 0 with 9 Mg. The new formulation concentrates about 30% more nitrogen and phosphorus into each granule while keeping the product’s performance across different soils, pH levels and tillage systems.

Flying Forest has appointed Casale as integrator and technology provider for the Pre FEED of Project Loonbird, a biomass to methanol complex planned for Iisalmi, Finland, and targeted to start operations by 2030.

The 34th IFA Annual Conference in Monaco is always a highlight of the fertilizer calendar, and this year feels especially significant. If you are here at the event, please come and say hello at the CRU stand in the expo.

The 34th IFA Annual Conference in Monaco is not just about fertilizers in general – it is also about the sulphur and sulphuric acid value chain that underpins phosphate production.