Cronus Chemicals LLC on Sept. 12 announced that it has received a Construction and Air Permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its proposed $2.3 billion ammonia production plant in Tuscola, Ill. The facility has been on the table since at least 2013, when Illinois signed off on incentives to aid the project (GM July 29, 2013).
“We are thrilled to announce the receipt of the EPA Construction and Air Permit, a critical milestone for the project and our commitment to providing reliable, locally produced ammonia,” said Erzin Atac, Cronus Chemicals CEO. “We expect our new plant, in the heart of the highest consumption region in the country, will alleviate the shortage as well as the increasing supply concerns of local farmers and Industrial users.”
Illinois is the largest consumer of agricultural ammonia in the US, and the plant is projected to produce 950,000 st/y of ammonia, with access to ample natural gas resources from three interstate gas pipelines that Cronus said will lead to competitive pricing and operational efficiency. The company announced no timeline for the construction of the facility, nor any updates on whether it has secured the necessary financing to proceed.
“With its strategic position and state-of-the-art technology, Cronus Chemicals is supporting our local farmers by producing ammonia, a more sustainable fertilizer,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “This development not only strengthens the agricultural sector in Central Illinois but also paves the way for further innovation and expansion in the sustainable fertilizer sector, an essential part of Illinois’ plan for a greener future.”
Cronus earlier announced partnerships with thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions for its proprietary UHDE-Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions technology (GM Dec. 18, 2020), and with majority shareholder Melih Keyman, the Founder, President, and CEO of Keytrade AG, who serves as Cronus Chairman. The company also has a project labor agreement with North American Building Trade Unions.
“Entering the US market with a major project like Cronus Chemicals is a massive opportunity for our family and Keytrade AG,” said Keyman. “We are proud to create jobs for the great State of Illinois.”
Douglas County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Brian Moody said the project will create an estimated 2,000-2,500 construction jobs over a four-year period, the News Gazette reported, with approximately 130-150 full-time positions after the plant is operational.
Cronus also has a contract with the Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District to purchase up to 6 million gallons of wastewater per day to produce the ammonia and to build a pipeline and pumping station to the plant site in Tuscola.