Section: CRUNS Industry News

AkzoNobel says that it is providing long-term corrosion protection and chemical and heat resistant coatings for the wind power and chemical processing facilities at the Songyuan Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park. Constructed by China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., it is the world’s largest integrated green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project. Now on its second phase, the industrial park operates entirely on 100% renewable electricity and is currently focused on producing 45,000 t/a of green hydrogen and 200,000 t/a of green ammonia and methanol.

Sabic is expected to make a final investment decision (FID) soon on construction of a seventh ammonia-urea plant, at Jubail Industrial City, according to local press reports. The new plant is expected to produce 1.2 million t/a of gas-based ammonia and 2.6 million t/a of urea. Feedstock allocation for the plant was approved by the Ministry of Energy in March. However, plans reportedly remain dependent on securing a long-term offtake agreement.

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).

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the first Type Approval Certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine. The approval has been awarded to the hydrogen engine developed by BeHydro and confirms the design meets LR’s requirements for safety, performance and reliability in marine applications.

Yara International has reached an agreement to acquire Gulf Coast Ammonia’s (GCA) ammonia production facility in Texas City, Texas from GCA Holdings LLC, for a consideration of $ 1.3 billion. Yara says that the acquisition is part of its strategy to diversify its energy exposure and enhance the competitiveness of its global ammonia production footprint. Yara will own the ammonia plant with an expected nameplate capacity of 1.3 million t/a, with Air Products supplying industrial gases to Yara as part of a long-term supply agreement. Yara will use its midstream ammonia platform to supply both external customers and its own internal sourcing needs.

Amufert has appointed a new Board of Directors as its gas‑based ammonia and urea complex in Soyo, Zaire Province moves from planning into the execution phase, with operations targeted to begin in 2027.

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.