Tuscola, Illinois, August 28, 2025
News Summary
Cronus Chemicals is set to invest $2 billion to establish a new ammonia fertilizer plant near Tuscola, Illinois. This facility aims to produce 950,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia annually and create around 130 full-time jobs. With construction expected to take about 40 months, the project will utilize carbon capture technology to minimize emissions. Local officials view this investment as a significant boost for Douglas County’s economy, addressing the region’s need for locally produced fertilizer and enhancing job opportunities.
Cronus Chemicals Moves Ahead with $2 Billion Ammonia Fertilizer Plant Near Tuscola, Illinois
Cronus Chemicals announced a $2 billion investment to build a new ammonia fertilizer plant roughly one mile west of Tuscola, Illinois, a project expected to produce 950,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia each year and create about 130 full-time jobs. Construction is projected to take approximately 40 months from groundbreaking to full production. The plan includes the use of carbon capture and storage technology to reduce emissions from the production process.
Permits, timeline and recent progress
The company received necessary construction and air permits from federal regulators in September 2024, clearing a key regulatory hurdle. Although the project has faced repeated delays since its first announcement in 2014, state officials report concerted economic development efforts to move the work forward. With permits in hand, planners estimate about 3.5 years for site preparation, equipment installation, testing and ramp-up to full output.
Production capacity and local supply impact
The new plant is designed to produce nearly one million tons of anhydrous ammonia per year. That capacity aims to reduce the state’s reliance on imported nitrogen products and supply locally produced fertilizer to farmers across the Midwest. Illinois is currently the largest consumer of ammonia in the United States, and demand in the region is reported to outpace local supply. The facility is intended to help close that gap and offer more local control over a key agricultural input.
Jobs and economic outlook
When operational, the plant is expected to employ around 130 full-time workers. Local officials and community leaders view the project as a potential economic catalyst for Douglas County and surrounding towns, calling it one of the largest private investments in Central Illinois in recent years. Supporters point to job creation, increased local spending, and restored regional capacity for ammonia production as likely outcomes that will strengthen both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Location and infrastructure
The site selected lies along Route 36 about one mile west of Tuscola. Proximity to road, rail and regional markets was cited as an important factor in site choice, alongside access to utilities and storage. State economic development tools are backing the project through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s EDGE agreement, aimed at encouraging private investment and supporting long-term economic growth.
Environmental systems and technology
The facility will incorporate carbon capture and storage into its process to limit greenhouse gas emissions associated with ammonia production. That feature is part of an effort to balance increased domestic fertilizer production with environmental controls. The siting and permits required review of air emissions and construction impacts before regulatory approval was granted.
Background and context
The proposal for this plant dates back more than a decade and has been delayed several times since its initial announcement. The renewed push follows recent permit approvals and coordinated support from state economic development officials. The decision to place production in central Illinois responds to steady farm demand for nitrogen fertilizers that is greater than current local manufacturing capacity.
Next steps
With permits secured and state support in place, the next steps include final site preparations, procurement of major equipment, and mobilizing construction contractors. Stakeholders expect the construction period to span roughly 40 months, with periodic updates on milestones such as groundbreaking, major equipment set, and commissioning to follow as work progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the plant produce?
The facility will produce anhydrous ammonia, with an expected annual capacity of about 950,000 tons.
The facility will produce anhydrous ammonia, with an expected annual capacity of about 950,000 tons.
How many jobs will the project create?
Once it is operating, the plant is expected to provide roughly 130 full-time jobs. Additional temporary jobs will be created during the construction phase.
Once it is operating, the plant is expected to provide roughly 130 full-time jobs. Additional temporary jobs will be created during the construction phase.
How long will construction take?
The construction and commissioning period is estimated at about 40 months, or roughly 3.5 years, from groundbreaking to full production.
The construction and commissioning period is estimated at about 40 months, or roughly 3.5 years, from groundbreaking to full production.
Where exactly will the plant be located?
The plant is planned along Route 36, approximately one mile west of Tuscola in Douglas County, Illinois.
The plant is planned along Route 36, approximately one mile west of Tuscola in Douglas County, Illinois.
Will the plant use emissions-reduction technology?
Yes. The project will include carbon capture and storage systems to reduce the facility’s carbon emissions during ammonia production.
Yes. The project will include carbon capture and storage systems to reduce the facility’s carbon emissions during ammonia production.
Key project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investment | $2 billion |
| Product | Anhydrous ammonia |
| Annual capacity | 950,000 tons |
| Full-time jobs | 130 |
| Construction time | About 40 months |
| Location | Route 36, ~1 mile west of Tuscola, Illinois |
| Permits | Construction and air permits approved (Sept 2024) |
| Environmental tech | Carbon capture and storage |
| State support | EDGE agreement from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity |
| Regional impact | Reduce import reliance; support Midwest farmers |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Construction IL Resources
Cronus Chemicals to Build $2 Billion Ammonia Plant Near Tuscola, Illinois
Additional Resources
- Pontiac Daily Leader
- Capitol City Now
- Farm Week Now
- Chicagoland Journal
- News-Gazette
- Wikipedia: Fertilizer
- Google Search: Illinois ammonia fertilizer plant
- Google Scholar: ammonia fertilizer production
- Encyclopedia Britannica: nitrogen fertilizer
- Google News: Tuscola fertilizer plant
