Saskatoon-based Genesis Fertilizers LP and German engineering firm thyssenkrupp Uhde have signed a Pre-FEED (front-end engineering and design) contract to conceptually develop a long-planned integrated fertilizer complex in Belle Plaine, Sask.
The proposed plant will be designed to produce 1,500 mt/d of ammonia, 2,600 mt/d of urea/UAS granulation, nitric acid, and UAN, plus the ability to produce diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The parties did not offer a current cost estimate or timeline for the project.
“Our primary goal is to ensure the supply of fertilizers to the farmers in Western Canada based on the most advanced technologies available with the lowest possible carbon footprint,” said Jason Mann, Genesis CEO and President. “We are pleased to be working with a strong industry partner that offers expertise in all the processes and technologies involved from a single source.”
Genesis was founded on a business model that allows farmers to be both the customers and majority owners of the proposed new fertilizer plant. The company has been developing a distribution network of “SuperCenters” across Western Canada (GM Sept. 29, 2023), and has long planned a urea plant for Belle Plaine. A predecessor company, Farmers of North America (FNA), first proposed a project in 2012 (GM Oct. 1, 2012) and selected a site in 2014 (GM June 23, 2014).
“This project is further proof that the transition of the fertilizer industry towards more sustainability has started,” said Lucretia Löscher, COO of thyssenkrupp Uhde. “Our expertise in clean fertilizer technologies and their integration is essential to support our customers on their journey to protect the climate.”
thyssenkrupp Uhde will provide engineering solutions with a key focus on minimizing plant emissions, noting that its EnviNOx® technology will almost completely eliminate nitrogen oxides from nitric acid production. In addition, the design of the plant will consider the potential use of renewable-based hydrogen and electricity.