The Villeta Green H₂ Fertiliser Plant, developed by ATOME PLC in Paraguay, is set to produce around 260,000 tonnes per year of low-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) using green hydrogen generated from Paraguay’s fully renewable electricity system. The project aims to decarbonise a hard-to-abate sector while contributing to food security, sustainable agriculture, and regional fertiliser supply across Mercosur. It is expected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs during its construction and operational phases, establishing a competitive source of low-carbon fertiliser for the region.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm EIB Global, is providing up to USD 95 million in project-finance, non-recourse funding for the initiative, alongside international partners including IFC, IDB Invest, FMO, and the Green Climate Fund. The plant will operate under a long-term power purchase agreement with Paraguay’s state-owned utility ANDE, ensuring a stable supply of renewable electricity. The financing supports one of the first industrial-scale green hydrogen fertiliser plants outside the European Union, positioning it as the world’s largest upon startup and demonstrating Europe’s leadership in clean industrial technologies.
Strategically located near the Parana–Paraguay waterway and major agricultural hubs in Brazil and Argentina, the plant will enhance market competitiveness, diversify supply sources, and increase the resilience of regional fertiliser markets. By replacing fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen, the project will significantly reduce emissions in a high-impact industrial sector. It also reinforces the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the EU–Mercosur partnership, promoting sustainable industrial and agricultural development in Latin America.
EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris highlighted the project as a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to accelerating the global clean transition and fostering sustainable innovation. Olivier Mussat, CEO of ATOME PLC, emphasized that the Villeta plant not only advances environmental goals but also creates a viable and profitable business model for sustainable fertiliser production. Katja Afheldt, EU Ambassador to Paraguay, noted that the initiative strengthens Paraguay’s role as a regional leader in green hydrogen and supports economic diversification.
ATOME PLC is an AIM-listed company specializing in low-carbon fertiliser projects in South and Central America. Its Villeta project aims to reduce the region’s reliance on imported fossil-based fertilisers while contributing to local food security. The company is also developing renewable power generation and battery infrastructure through its ATOME POWER division.
The Villeta Green H₂ Fertiliser Plant aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which mobilizes investments to promote smart, clean, and secure infrastructure globally, while supporting partner countries’ sustainable development and the green and digital transition. Global Gateway pools resources from the EU, its member states, financial institutions, and European businesses, targeting up to €300 billion in investments worldwide. Projects under the initiative prioritize sustainability, human rights, good governance, and fair partnerships with recipient countries.
