Agrochemicals

Recent developments

Clean ammonia rollout

Topsoe will supply its dynamic ammonia synthesis technology to First Ammonia’s Victoria, Texas plant, enabling rapid turndown with variable renewables; start‑up targeted in 2029. Topsoe’s SynCOR Ammonia technology was selected for J Westling & Co’s Nebraska plant to produce ~500 STPD blue ammonia for fertilizer by 2029. SONATRACH and Siemens Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering maintenance and local green ammonia value chains.

Urea and phosphate build

MAIRE/Tecnimont won a €1.3bn EPC for a 2.1 Mt/yr urea complex in Bahía Blanca; KBR ammonia and Stamicarbon urea technologies will be applied. In Algeria, SONATRACH and the Algerian Fertilizers Company advanced the Integrated Phosphate Project via EPCs to Saipem (processing) and CHEC (port). Worley was recognised for the cogeneration project for K+S Potash Canada to enhance on‑site steam and power.

Crop protection pipeline

BASF Agricultural Solutions’ Climate Center at its Limburgerhof headquarters will expand GLP‑compliant ecotoxicology and insecticide research capacity by 2027. BASF also started global registration for Replexor Active (fendioxypyracil), a PPO herbicide with grass and broadleaf control, with initial filings in Brazil and Australia.

Markets and corporate moves

Yara reported Q2 EBITDA of USD 906m and announced the acquisition of Gulf Coast Ammonia to lower costs and diversify energy exposure. BASF raised its 2026 EBITDA outlook after stronger Q2, noting Agricultural Solutions outperformance versus consensus. Amid portfolio changes, SABIC Agri‑Nutrients completed its first bagged and solid bulk urea shipment via the west coast.