Growmark, Inc. announced in late October that it will take a minority ownership position in Wabash Valley Resources (WVR), the developer of an anhydrous ammonia facility outside West Terre Haute, Ind.
WVR began the project in 2016 with the goal of strengthening domestic fertilizer supply and reducing dependence on imports. The facility is designed to produce 500,000 metric tons of anhydrous ammonia a year, with commercial operations expected in 2029.
“Our investment in Wabash Valley Resources will bring a new, independent source of ammonia closer to the farmers and cooperatives that depend on it,” said Mark Orr, CEO of Growmark. “It’s a long-term investment in reliable domestic supply and the competitiveness of our member-owners.”
Dan Williams, WVR’s CEO, called the investment “a pivotal milestone for WVR and a strong vote of confidence in independent ammonia production.”
“With this investment, we move closer to turning years of development into a dependable source of American-made fertilizer,” Williams said. “We thank the U.S. Department of Energy and its Office of Energy Dominance Financing for helping bring this transaction to fruition. Our focus now is on building the facility safely and delivering a dependable supply of American-made fertilizer to the farmers who feed our country.”
A coal gasification site converted to ammonia
The project began in 2016 within the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, which supported work on converting fossil fuels such as coal into synthesis gas and on carbon storage. WVR is converting a coal gasification site into what it describes as a low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia facility. The site received key regulatory permits in 2024.
DOE has said the project could position Indiana as a leader in ammonia fertilizer production and industrial-scale carbon storage.
