NextChem, via its nitrogen technology licensor Stamicarbon, has been awarded a licensing, process design package (PDP), and proprietary equipment supply contract based on its proprietary NX STAMI Urea™ technology, for a new urea plant in Eastern China by what NextChem describes as “a prominent fertilizer producer”.
The first 320 MW phase of what China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd says will ultimately become the world’s largest integrated green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project HyFlow has officially begun operation in Songyuan City in Jilin Province. With a total investment of nearly $4.30 billion, the Songyuan project uses a “wind-solarhydrogen-ammonia-methanol” integration model, creating an industrial chain that includes hydrogen production and storage, as well as hydrogen-derived chemicals such as ammonia and methanol, hydrogen energy equipment, and scientific research. The project eventually plans to develop 3 GW of renewable energy capacity from wind and solar power, alongside a target production capacity of 800,000 t/a of green ammonia and methanol. The annual production of green hydrogen in the project’s first phase is expected to be equivalent to approximately one-fifth of China’s current total annual green hydrogen production.
Europe is likely to become an increasing ammonia importer over the coming years as low global ammonia prices and high European gas prices squeeze producer margins, but CBAM remains a wild card.
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.