ATOME PLC has reached a final investment decision (FID) for its 260,000 tonne-per-year low-carbon fertiliser plant in Villeta, Paraguay. The project, powered entirely by renewable baseload hydropower, will produce low-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertiliser independent of fossil-fuel price volatility. The plant construction is expected to begin shortly, with full commercial production targeted by or before October 2029.
The project is backed by a 10-year binding offtake agreement with Yara International ASA covering the plant’s full production output. Furthermore, the project is expected to strengthen fertiliser supply resilience across the Mercosur region and avoid up to 12.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime.
The $665 million project financing includes $420 million in debt from institutions led by IDB Invest and supported by IFC, the European Investment Bank, FMO, and the Green Climate Fund. The remaining $245 million equity investment is led by Hy24 through its Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Fund, alongside IFC, KfW DEG, IFDK, Sudameris, and ATOME PLC.