Topsoe signed an agreement with J Westling & Co (JWC) to support the development of a blue ammonia fertilizer plant in Gothenburg, Nebraska. The project aims to produce domestically sourced low-carbon ammonia fertilizer for American farmers while strengthening regional fertilizer supply chains. Topsoe will provide its SynCOR Ammonia™ autothermal reforming technology, along with proprietary equipment and catalysts for the Nebraska facility. Once operational, the plant will produce approximately 500 short tons per day (STPD) of blue ammonia using natural gas as feedstock. Importantly, this will be the first deployment of Topsoe’s SynCOR Ammonia™ technology dedicated to low-carbon fertilizer production.
Project Aims to Reduce Transportation Costs
The new facility will supply blue ammonia fertilizer to farmers located near the plant in Nebraska. As a result, regional customers are expected to benefit from significantly lower transportation expenses. Currently, transporting ammonia from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Nebraska costs between $100 and $120 per ton. By producing fertilizer locally, the project will eliminate much of this logistics cost while improving supply reliability for Midwest farmers.
Supporting Food Security and Energy Resilience
Topsoe stated that the project demonstrates how advanced ammonia technologies can support both food security and energy resilience. “This project is about strengthening domestic supply chains that farmers depend on every day,” said Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, The Americas, Topsoe. “We are proud to support JWC’s investment in U.S.-based fertilizer production that produces blue low-carbon ammonia fertilizers to support domestic supply of critical agricultural outputs,” Rasmussen added.
JWC Sees Benefits for Farmers and Rural Jobs
Joshua Westling, Founder and CEO of J Westling & Co, emphasized the importance of providing farmers with reliable fertilizer supplies closer to home. “Nebraska farmers help feed the world,” Westling said. “For the sake of both their bottom line and America’s supply chain resilience, farmers should be able to source reliable, high-quality inputs like ammonia fertilizer closer to home. This partnership with Topsoe will help us deliver world-class fertilizer to farmers across the region while supporting good-paying jobs in rural Nebraska,” Westling added.
Clean Ammonia Market Expected to Expand
Clean ammonia, including blue and green ammonia, could account for around 13% of global ammonia supply by 2030. The United States is expected to produce approximately one-third of global clean ammonia output, driven by investments in low-carbon ammonia projects that enhance domestic supply and industrial competitiveness. By manufacturing ammonia within Nebraska, the project seeks to reduce dependence on imports, improve fertilizer availability, and provide Midwest farmers with greater confidence as they prepare for each growing season. As per the press release, in addition, the facility is expected to contribute to a more resilient agricultural supply chain while supporting the transition toward lower-carbon fertilizer production in the United States.
