- In June 2025, FertigHy unveiled plans to build a low-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN27) production facility in Northern France. Backed by a $1.3 billion investment, the plant will manufacture 500,000 metric tonnes annually using ammonia derived from electrolytic hydrogen, replacing conventional natural gas. This initiative reflects a broader shift toward sustainable fertilizer production and aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on imports while supporting agricultural decarbonization. The facility is expected to be operational by 2030 and will create around 250 direct jobs, with strong support from the French government
- In March 2024, Argus Media introduced the world’s first cost assessments for low and zero-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), a widely used nitrogen fertilizer in Europe. These assessments calculate the production costs of CAN made with blue ammonia—produced from natural gas with carbon capture—and green ammonia, derived from renewable energy sources. The initiative supports the fertilizer industry’s push to decarbonize, offering greater transparency for producers, traders, and consumers. It also anticipates the EU’s upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will apply carbon costs to imported fertilizers
- In July 2023, Agrofert Group finalized its acquisition of Borealis AG’s nitrogen business for approximately €810 million (around $884 million). This strategic move included assets related to fertilizers, melamine, and technical nitrogen products, significantly expanding Agrofert’s footprint across Europe. With production facilities in Austria, Germany, and France, and a robust distribution network, the acquisition strengthens Agrofert’s position in the nitrogen fertilizer market—including Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)—and enhances supply chain resilience. The deal is expected to double Agrofert’s production capacity and open new markets in France, Benelux, Bulgaria, and Serbia
- In May 2023, Atlas Agro selected Spanish engineering firm Técnicas Reunidas to develop a groundbreaking zero-carbon fertilizer plant near Richland, Washington. The facility, named Pacific Green Fertilizer (PGF), will produce 650,000 tons of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) annually using only air, water, and zero-carbon electricity as raw materials. This marks a major milestone in sustainable fertilizer production, eliminating carbon emissions entirely from the process. The plant will feature advanced units for ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and air separation, and represents the first in a global series of zero-carbon facilities planned by Atlas Agro
- In February 2023, Spanish ammonia producer Fertiberia S.A. entered a cooperation agreement with Horisont Energi to jointly develop the Barents Blue project in Finnmark, Northern Norway. This initiative is set to become Europe’s largest clean ammonia production facility, with a planned output of 1 million tonnes annually. The plant will utilize natural gas with carbon capture and storage, aligning with EU taxonomy for sustainable investments. Fertiberia brings over five decades of expertise in ammonia plant operations, and the project is expected to significantly boost the availability of low-carbon feedstocks for fertilizers such as CAN
