MODESTE, La. (BRPROUD) — CF Industries is proposing a new $2 billion low-carbon ammonia production facility at its Blue Point Complex in Ascension Parish, according to a news release. The project developers would be POSCO Holdings – South Korea’s largest steelmaker – and CF Industries.
“We believe that low-carbon ammonia will play a critical role in accelerating the world’s transition to clean energy, and this proposed new project confirms the global impact we can have in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries,” said Tony Will, CF Industries President and CEO. “We appreciate the partnership we have had with the state of Louisiana and Ascension Parish over the years as we have expanded our operations, taken industry-leading steps to decarbonize our existing assets and now we explore new, low-carbon ammonia production capacity. We look forward to working with them further as we evaluate this proposed facility that could further the growth of decarbonized industry in the state.”
If the proposal is approved, it is expected to produce more than 50 direct new jobs with average annual salaries exceeding $106,000. According to the Louisiana Economic Developoment, the project also would add 177 new indirect jobs. The total could be 227 new jobs in the Baton Rouge area.
According to the news release from the Louisiana Economic Development, this is part of a commitment by CF Industries to manufacture ammonia for clean energy applications while decarbonizing the process. The companies are considering autothermal reforming, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the ammonia production process by more than 90% when paired with carbon capture and sequestration.
CF Industries is looking to finish a front-end engineering design study on the suggested site in the second half of 2024, according to Louisiana Economic Development.
