ATOME closes in on full funding for Paraguay renewable fertilizer project

$420 million worth of deals now signed

Click to learn more. ATOME has now secured a total of $420 million in finance for its Villeta project in Paraguay.

As part of its portfolio of renewable fertilizer projects, ATOME is developing a 245,000 tons per year calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) facility in Paraguay, powered by about 145 MW of hydroelectricity, and set to come online by 2027. Following new agreements signed with (amongst others) the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group), a total of $420 million of finance has now been secured.

Also backing the project are the European Investment Bank ($135 million), the Green Climate Fund ($50 million), FMO, the Dutch state-backed entrepreneurial development bank ($95 million). The remaining funding will come from equity, and ATOME indicates that equity agreements are expected to be signed within 30 days. ATOME also has a long-term, “take-or-pay” offtake agreement with Yara, covering 100% of the project’s production.

We greatly value the IFC and GCF’s support for this landmark project, which ATOME has pioneered from the ground up. Our Villeta plant enables industrial-scale fertilizer production free from fossil fuel dependence — a critical advance for global food security and the long-term profitability of agricultural supply chains. Together with the financial coalition we have built, IFC’s and GCF’s backing proves that green fertilizer is not just environmentally essential, but a compelling and sustainable business opportunity.

Olivier Mussat, CEO of ATOME, in the IFC’s official press release, 13 Mar 2026

IFC is proud to support this innovative project, which not only has a positive impact on agriculture but also creates meaningful jobs and skills enhancement opportunities for the people of Paraguay. This initiative underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable development in the region.

Manuel Reyes Retana, Division Director for Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay at IFC, in his organisation’s official press release, 13 Mar 2026

The Atome Villeta Green Fertilizer Project represents a paradigm shift in large-scale green fertilizer investments in emerging markets. It is also one of GCF’s landmark investments in industrial decarbonization. This innovative project will strengthen food security as well as transform the regional market in fertilizer by reducing imports from outside of the region.

Kristin Lang, The Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Director, Department of the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, in the IFC’s official press release, 13 Mar 2026

The International Finance Corporation indicates that, as well as committing $25 million in “mezzanine debt” in this latest round, the IFC was key in mobilizing the $50 million concessional loan from the Green Climate Fund. IFC notes that the blended finance structure will be essential to achieving bankability.