Category: Regions

A consortium consisting of TotalEnergies, Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, and ITOCHU have signed a joint development and operating agreement, granting the Japanese companies a combined 33.3% stake in the Live Oak project – a large-scale facility to produce renewable synthetic natural gas, also referred to as e-NG or e-methane, initiated by TES and TotalEnergies and currently under development in Nebraska. Following the agreement, TES and TotalEnergies will each maintain a 33.35 % stake in the project.

A consortium including Danish companies Skovgaard Energy, Topsoe and Vestas says that it has reached an important milestone with the startup of operations in what they describe as the world’s first-of-its-kind green ammonia plant. The plant, owned by Skovgaard Energy and located in Ramme Denmark, is a demonstrator for a dynamic approach to green ammonia production, which means that the plant will adapt to the inherent fluctuations in power output from the renewable power sources in integration with the plant’s electrolysis and ammonia synthesis loop. This, say the developers, will ensure optimal production and improve the cost-effectiveness of green ammonia, ensuring less need for costly storage solutions of green hydrogen or renewable power. Production capacity is 5,000 t/a of green ammonia, with an associated CO2 reduction of 9,600 t/a. The partnership has received euro 11 million in funding from the Danish Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP).

ICL announced the passing of Dr Patricia Imas, the company’s renowned Chief Agronomist, on 17th December 2025.

Recent developments show the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) remains active for fertilizers, but the European Commission proposes tariff reductions to offset import costs. Tariff suspension details The Commission will temporarily suspend remaining Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariffs on ammonia, urea, and certain other fertilizers. Import tariffs from most-favoured nations stand at 6.5%, excluding higher staged tariffs […]

Venezuela’s nitrogen industry faces uncertainty from US military intervention, as outlined in a recent CRU analysis. Strategic facilities State-owned Pequiven manages three northern coastal plants with 2.4 Mt annual ammonia capacity and 3.0 Mt urea capacity. These sites link directly to PDVSA pipelines and nearby natural gas operations. Historical disruptions and 2023 rebound US sanctions […]

Freeport Indonesia may be forced to suspend operations at its Manyar smelter at the end of October due to a lack of copper concentrate, according to local press reports. The news follows the mudslide at the Grasberg mine in September, which killed seven workers. Grasberg, which represents almost 3% of global copper mine production, has halted production and Freeport says that it may not return to pre-accident operating rates until 2027. Stocks of copper concentrate at Grasberg were estimated to be only sufficient to operate the Manyar smelter until the end of October. The $3.7 billion Manyar smelter only resumed operations in May after a fire broke out in October last year, damaging the plant.

Sultech Global Innovation Corp., a Canadian agricultural technology company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ADNOC Sour Gas for its micronised elemental sulphur technology. Under the MoU, the companies will conduct a feasibility study and pilot production program to establish the UAE’s first commercial micronised sulphur manufacturing facility. The initiative will integrate Sultech’s patented micronisation process within ADNOC’s sulphur granulation at the Shah Gas Plant, the world’s largest ultra-sour gas operation.

Metso has completed the expansion of its service centre in Antofagasta, Chile, adding an additional 1,200 m² of operational capacity, totalling 4,800 m² of technical workspace. Strategically located in the La Negra industrial district, at the heart of northern Chile’s mining area, the service centre has tripled its technical-commercial agreements in recent years, becoming a key strategic partner for major mining companies in the country. Following the expansion, the centre can now repair and refurbish large-scale equipment including HRC™ and high pressure grinding roll units, Vertimill® grinding technology, and mills for mining customers. It also supports beneficiation and dewatering technologies, such as filter plate pack service offerings. In addition, the centre provides service capabilities for mining crushers, grinding mills, screens, and car dumpers.

ADNOC has received bids for its Ruwais Sulphur Terminal expansion. The project aims to expand the existing sulphur handling terminal facilities, SHT-1 and SHT-2, located in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The purpose of the expansion is to increase the capacity of the Ruwais sulphur handling terminal to accommodate an additional 10,600 t/d of liquid sulphur from the Hail and Ghasha offshore sour gas field development.

Austrlai’s Northern Territories Government has approved a mining licence for Verdant Minerals’ Ammaroo phosphate project. The approval follows the granting of two mineral leases in March and represents a critical step towards construction and mining operations at one of the world’s largest phosphate resources. Verdant estimates the value of production over the life of the mine to exceed $15 billion. Verdant says that securing the mining licence puts the project firmly on track to reach a final investment decision and commence construction as early as mid-2027. Located 200 kilometres south-east of Tennant Creek, the Ammaroo phosphate deposit contains more than one billion tonnes of phosphate ore.