THIS UPDATE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO SITE MEMBERS
Cronus Chemicals has awarded the EPC contract for its 2,300 metric ton per day ammonia plant in Tuscola, IL.
Tag: Illinois
Cronus: new capacity, schedule, and a quasi-contract
THIS UPDATE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO SITE MEMBERS
In August 2017, Cronus Chemicals announced that its proposed greenfield in Tuscola, IL, is still moving forward, with a shiny new agreement with an EPC firm, as well as a revised project scope (more ammonia, less urea), and a more realistic schedule.
Unfortunately, while this was widely reported as being a major step forward, there's a world of difference between an agreement with an EPC firm and an actual EPC agreement.
Pipeline of new ammonia plants (2017 update, part 1)
I've published recent updates on four greenfield nitrogen plants that hope to break ground in 2017, potentially adding 1.8 million tons of ammonia capacity in the US.
The project pipeline is long, however, and others are making progress too. This article provides updates on another four projects that, together, could add more than 4 million tons to North American ammonia capacity through 2022.
Rentech has merged with CVR
CVR Partners closed its merger with Rentech today, giving birth to a new subsidiary, East Dubuque Nitrogen Fertilizers, LLC, which will now operate the nitrogen plant in East Dubuque, IL.
CVR Partners previously ran just one nitrogen plant, the Coffeyville, KS, ammonia-UAN plant, which gets its pet coke feedstock from its sister refinery (owned by CVR Energy, the parent company of CVR Partners).
So, this merger "provides the partnership with an expanded geographical footprint, diversification of its raw material feedstocks, wider customer reach and greater potential for cash-flow generation."
Monmouth, IL – Midwest BioEnergy
OWNER: Midwest Ammonia Inc (Midwest BioEnergy Ltd)
PROJECT: Brownfield ammonia plant
SUMMARY STATUS: Planning Phase
Midwest BioEnergy is planning a series of small waste-to-ammonia plants at municipal and industrial sites in the heart of the ammonia fertilizer market. The Monmouth plant will be the "proof of concept." Some equity in place; debt financing secured, contingent upon equity investment.
Cronus announces EPC, technology vendors
Maire Tecnimont announced today that it had signed a MOU "which will be converted into an EPC contract," to build Cronus Chemicals' ammonia-urea greenfield in Tuscola, IL.
The press release reveals that the project cost has gone up slightly, and the schedule has been pushed back further than previously announced. It also confirms ammonia and urea technology vendors.
Project Cronus confirms location: Tuscola, Illinois
Cronus Chemicals has selected an Illinois site for its greenfield urea plant, outside Tuscola in Douglas County. Updated project information is at my page for Cronus Chemicals.
Tuscola, IL — Cronus Chemical
UPDATED: 10/02/2018 — see Change Log
OWNER: Cronus Fertilizers (Cronus Chemicals LLC)
PROJECT: Greenfield ammonia plant
SUMMARY STATUS: Financing phase
In October 2018, Cronus announced that it had awarded an EPC contract, with revised project scope. Awaiting financial close, before construction can begin; no groundbreaking yet. In August 2017, Cronus had also announced a reconfigured project, with a reduced capacity, lower capex, and a more realistic schedule. Also in 2017, its original air permit expired, after many extensions, and Cronus must now apply for and receive a new air permit before construction can begin. This project has been repeatedly postponed over the years.
East Dubuque, IL — CVR Partners
UPDATED: 04/30/2018 — see Change Log
OWNER: East Dubuque Nitrogen Fertilizers, LLC (CVR Partners LP / CVR Energy Inc)
PROJECT: Nitrogen fertilizer plant
SUMMARY STATUS: Operational
The East Dubuque nitrogen plant started up in 1965. Rentech completed expansions of the urea line in 2013 and the ammonia line in 2014. In April 2016, Rentech and CVR Partners merged, and the plant now operates as a subsidiary of CVR. Also in 2016, CVR completed minor expansion work on its ammonia plant.