Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 15, Casale SA, based in Lugano, Switzerland, has signed a $465 million Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Atome PLC to build a pioneering green fertilizer plant in Villeta, Paraguay. This facility, set to be the world’s first of its kind, will produce 260,000 metric tons of zero-carbon fertilizer annually using entirely renewable energy. Located in the Mercosur region, the plant aims to supply low-carbon fertilizers to one of the world’s largest food-producing areas, supporting sustainable agriculture.
Olivier Mussat, CEO of Atome, expressed enthusiasm for the milestone: “ATOME is delighted to announce the signing of our EPC Contract with Casale, on time and on track to our project schedule. This underscores our ability to deliver final agreements and marks another milestone achieved as we advance to reach FID for the Villeta Project towards the end of H1 2025. Casale is a world leader in ammonia and fertiliser engineering, and I have every confidence in the team as the right partners to deliver our flagship project in Paraguay, the first green fertiliser facility of its kind.”
The Villeta project will leverage a 145-megawatt renewable power agreement and operate in a tax-free zone, enhancing its economic and environmental benefits. With a total estimated cost of $625 million, the initiative involves collaboration with companies like Yara, Hy24, AECOM, Natixis, IDB Invest, and ANDE. The EPC contract, a fixed-price agreement, depends on a Final Investment Decision (FID) expected by mid-2025. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2025, with production starting within 38 months of the FID, targeting sales in 2028.
Federico Zardi, CEO of Casale, highlighted their role: “We at Casale are immensely proud to be an integral part of ATOME’s world-first green solid fertilizer Villeta project in Paraguay. For over a decade, Casale has been advancing the development of CO₂ emissions-reduction technologies in fertilizer production. Through these technological advancements, we are delivering an extremely optimized design at Villeta, setting a precedent for sustainable fertilizer production at costs that are competitive with, or even lower than, conventional ‘grey’ fertilisers, paving the way to a sustainable agricultural future.”
The project addresses growing demand for eco-friendly fertilizers, offering a cost-competitive alternative to traditional products. By combining renewable energy and advanced engineering, the Villeta plant aims to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture in the region while meeting market needs efficiently.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, positioning the Villeta project as a model for future green fertilizer initiatives worldwide.
