Nordics, Fertiberia, Lantmännen and Nordion Energi partners with total investment estimated to amount to around 2 billion euros
In the largest investment of its kind in the Nordics, Fertiberia, Lantmännen and Nordion Energi announce a partnership that aims to establish Sweden’s first fossil-free mineral fertilizer production, through the joint initiative Power2Earth. Through its hydrogen-based production process based on fossil-free energy, Power2Earth has the potential to greatly reduce the climate impact of food production.
The investment is also an important step in enabling robust Swedish food preparedness. The start of production is planned for the end of 2028 and the total investment is estimated to amount to around 2 billion euros, with the partners in the final investment phase planning to enter with different stakes.
The establishment means a big step in Sweden’s green transition and a strengthened food preparedness. Power2Earth builds on a technology developed by Fertiberia, a leading producer of fossil-free mineral fertilizers. The collaboration is based on a shared vision of a sustainable and robust agricultural and food production and combines the respective partners’ strengths, expertise and experience. By using an electrolysis technology based on fossil-free energy, Power2Earth strives for the lowest possible emissions in the production process.
The project began in 2021, since then a number of preliminary studies have been completed in combination with securing land for the factory establishment in Luleå. Preparations are currently underway for an environmental permit application which, according to the schedule, is to be submitted during the second quarter of 2024.
Javier Goñi, Fertiberia’s CEO says: “Fertiberia brings over five decades of experience in the manufacturing, operation and logistics of mineral fertilizers and ammonia. We are reducing agriculture’s carbon dioxide emissions through the transition to the production of fossil-free mineral fertilizers with the help of hydrogen gas”.
Through Power2Earth’s production of fossil-free mineral fertilizer in Luleå, there is a potential to reduce emissions by around 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which corresponds to around 25% of the emissions from Swedish agriculture. The innovative technology based on fossil-free hydrogen positions Power2Earth as a key player in the green transformation of food production.
With a production capacity of one million tons of mineral fertilizer annually, Power2Earth also has great potential to increase the robustness of Swedish food production, in line with Sweden’s national food strategy and ambitions regarding enhanced preparedness. This by reducing dependence on imports and improving the conditions for domestic food production and increased Swedish self-sufficiency.
Per Arfvidsson, vice president and CTO at Lantmännen says: “Power2Earth is revolutionary for the Swedish agricultural and food industry as fossil-free mineral fertilizers are crucial for creating a sustainable, efficient and future-proof food value chain. A domestic production of mineral fertilizer reduces Sweden’s complete dependence on fertilizer imports and is absolutely necessary for the development of a robust food security. We are happy to now be able to take the next step and establish Power2Earth together with Fertiberia and Nordion Energi”.
Power2Earth will also be a positive addition to Norrbotten’s industrial landscape. By introducing the production of fossil-free mineral fertilizers and access to renewable hydrogen in the region, Norrbotten is positioned as a center for hydrogen’s continued expansion. The establishment also strengthens regional growth and diversifies the region’s industry.
