Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest market news

Atome signs EPC contract for Paraguay CAN project

  • : Fertilizers, Hydrogen
  • 25/04/07

London-listed energy firm Atome has signed a definitive engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Swiss contractor Casale for its renewable CAN project in Paraguay.

Atome has signed a fixed-price $465mn EPC agreement with Casale for the 260,000 t/yr CAN plant at Villeta, Paraguay.

The deal marks the latest step towards Atome taking a final investment decision for its project targeting towards the end of the first half of 2025, the firm said today. This follows Atome's agreement with French clean hydrogen infrastructure fund Hy24 earlier this year.

The CAN at the plant will be made using ammonia produced from hydroelectricity, and output is scheduled to start in 2027. Atome is targeting first sales of "green" fertilizer in 2028. The project, when complete, would be the world's first large-scale carbon-free fertilizer facility.


Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

Belgian H2 pipeline faces year delay in fruit dispute


25/04/17
25/04/17

Belgian H2 pipeline faces year delay in fruit dispute

London, 17 April (Argus) — The construction of Belgium's first hydrogen pipeline between the ports of Ghent and Antwerp could be delayed by a year, after its environmental permit was suspended, gas transport system operator Fluxys has said. The 35km pipeline linking the towns of Zelzate and Kallo — part of a "first phase" of Belgium's "open access" hydrogen pipeline network — was to be completed in 2026 following the start of construction last month . But Belgium's council for permit disputes suspended the environmental permit following appeals from fruit growers related to discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" — into the water, Fluxys said. "Work has been halted pending a decision on the merits of the case, which could take up to a year," said Fluxys spokesperson Tim De Vil. "This clearly puts our timetable at risk." A final decision is expected next year at the earliest. De Vil said Fluxys is talking to the Flemish government and farmers' organisations to ensure the permit can still be approved. Fluxys' permit included permission to dispose of PFAS-contaminated water into surface water under "certain conditions." But the regulatory body ruled the impact on areas already exceeding the PFAS limits had been evaluated inaccurately. By Alexandra Luca Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer


25/04/17
25/04/17

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer

Tokyo, 17 April (Argus) — Japanese trading company Mitsui has invested in California-based synthetic fuel (e-fuel) producer Infinium, aiming to acquire knowledge on technology and commercialisation in the emerging sector. The investment in Infinium was conducted in March, Mitsui told Argus on 16 April, declining to disclose the specific amount. This marks Mitsui's second investment in e-fuel producers. The firm invested in California-based synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) producer Twelve Benefit . Infinium produces green hydrogen from water by electrolysis, and converts the hydrogen and CO2 into e-fuels by using renewable energy. The firm is planning to launch its second plant, which will specialise in e-SAF production. International Airlines Group (IAG) and American Airlines have agreed to receive the e-SAF that will be produced at the plant. E-fuels can help reduce over 90pc of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with conventional fossil fuels, and are notable as "drop-in" substitutes for conventional fuels, applicable to existing engines and infrastructures, Mitsui said. Mitsui is observing the e-SAF market. SAF is a relatively promising prospect in the renewable energy sector, on the back of the target by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to achieve net-zero emissions in international aviation by 2050, as well as governmental policies bolstering the deployment of SAF, a representative of the firm told Argus . Japan plans to replace 10pc of the jet fuel consumed by domestic airlines with SAF in 2030. By Kohei Yamamoto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US' Chinese ship port fee decision Thursday: USTR


25/04/16
25/04/16

US' Chinese ship port fee decision Thursday: USTR

New York, 16 April (Argus) — The US Trade Representative's (USTR) office said it will release details Thursday on proposed fees for operators of Chinese-built ships calling at US ports. The closely-watched proposals — part of President Donald Trump's plan to kick-start a flagging US shipbuilding industry and challenge Chinese dominance in the sector — were the subject of hearings and public comments last month in Washington, DC. The original proposal included fees of up to $1.5mn per port call for ships based on the percentage of Chinese-built vessels in an operator's fleet. Shipping market participants said the proposals could significantly curtail US import and exports and hurt the broader economy. Higher costs for shipping would likely be passed on to US consumers . Since the public hearings, the USTR has signaled that the fees would likely be less onerous than under the original proposal, and that not all of them would be implemented . By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction


25/04/14
25/04/14

Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction

Corrects lock locations in paragraph 5. Houston, 14 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will have to choose between various lock reconstruction and waterway projects for its annual construction plan after its funding was cut earlier this year. Last year Congress allowed the Corps to use $800mn from unspent infrastructure funds for other waterways projects. But when Congress passed a continuing resolutions for this year's budget they effectively removed that $800mn from what was a $2.6bn annual budget for lock reconstruction and waterways projects. This means a construction plan that must be sent to Congress by 14 May can only include $1.8bn in spending. No specific projects were allocated funding by Congress, allowing the Corps the final say on what projects it pursues under the new budget. River industry trade group Waterways Council said its top priority is for the Corps to provide a combined $205mn for work at the Montgomery lock in Pennsylvania on the Ohio River and Chickamauga lock in Tennessee on the Tennessee River since they are the nearest to completion and could become more expensive if further delayed. There are seven active navigation construction projects expected to take precedent, including the following: the Chickamauga and Kentucky Locks on the Tennessee River; Locks 2-4 on the Monongahela River; the Three Rivers project on the Arkansas River; the LaGrange Lock on the Illinois River; Lock 25 on the Mississippi River; and the Montgomery Lock on the Ohio River. There are three other locks in Texas, Pennsylvania and Illinois that are in the active design phase (see map) . By Meghan Yoyotte Corps active construction projects 2025 Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more