Western Canada’s farming sector is at a pivotal crossroads. Volatile fertilizer prices, import dependency and growing demands for sustainable practices challenge farmers aiming for profitability and environmental stewardship. Adding to these challenges is the uncertainty surrounding tariffs in the U.S. that affect cross-border supply chains.
Genesis Fertilizers is a fully Canadian-owned, farmer-led initiative that proposes a transformative solution: Canada’s first low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer facility. This multi-billion-dollar project aims to stabilize supply chains, lower production costs and significantly reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production to ensure farmers have secure domestic access to essential products.
A strategic location: Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan
This Saskatchewan location offers a unique combination of resources and infrastructure, positioning it as the ideal site for Genesis Fertilizers’ proposed facility. Key advantages include:
- Secured Land: The Genesis Fertilizers land in Belle Plaine offers access to essential infrastructure and resources.
- Energy Supply: Affordable natural gas from SaskEnergy, powering ammonia production.
- Water Access: Reliable resources provided by SaskWater, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
- Power Infrastructure: Electricity supplied by SaskPower, supporting energy-efficient technologies.
- Transportation Networks: Access to CN and CPKC rail lines and the TransCanada Highway ensures seamless distribution across Canadian and U.S. markets.
Being fully Canadian owned ensures that Genesis Fertilizers can prioritize domestic supply chains, giving farmers reliable, tariff-insulated fertilizer access regardless of international trade fluctuations.
Key features of the facility
The proposed facility will produce over one million metric tonnes of ammonia, urea, urea ammonium sulfate (UAS) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) annually. The facility will produce ammonia, which will be converted into liquid urea for further processing into high-quality granular urea 46-0-0, DEF, and granular UAS (40-0-0-5.5 formulation). Unlike some traditional blends, these homogenous granules are designed for compatibility with air seeders. A standout feature is the advanced carbon capture technology, designed to sequester up to 800,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ each year, contributing significantly to Canada’s national climate goals.
Empowering farmers through ownership and supply chain security
Genesis Fertilizers offers farmers more than a stable fertilizer source — it gives them a stake in the future of Canadian agriculture. By localizing supply and securing domestic production, the facility reduces freight and import costs, stabilizing prices and enhancing profitability. As a fully Canadian-owned, farmer-owned initiative, profits flow directly back to the farmer-owners themselves, while insulating the supply chain from U.S. tariff uncertainties.
“This facility gives farmers like me a stake in ownership for a more predictable and secure future,” says Marcel Enns, a Carrot River, Sask. grain producer. “We’re not just buying fertilizer anymore. We’re part of a sustainable movement.”
Ron Carson, a producer from Lampman, Sask., agrees. “Having a stake in a fertilizer facility means we’re not just consumers. We’re investors in our future, and that changes everything.”
From vision to reality: Genesis Fertilizers’ roadmap
Bringing a project of this magnitude to life requires meticulous planning and collaboration. Genesis Fertilizers’ updated roadmap includes:
- Provincial Support: The Saskatchewan government has endorsed the project, recognizing its potential for regional growth with associated financial incentives.
- Expert Engineering Team: A highly experienced in-house engineering team has been recruited specializing in ammonia and urea plant operations and design.
- Key Leadership Hires: Appointment of a CFO and independent directors with deep industry expertise.
- Financial Advisors and Strategic Partnerships: PwC has been engaged to manage capital raise efforts. Ongoing discussions continue with various institutions on the financial strategy.
- Completed Feasibility Study: Confirmed Belle Plaine as the optimal location based on resource availability, market demand and logistics.
- Design and Pre-FEED Completion: In collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde, the basis of design and technology selection is complete. The Pre-FEED stage is finalized.
- Advancing to the FEED Phase: In November 2024, Genesis Fertilizers officially entered the FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) phase by signing a contract with DL Engineering & Construction (DL E&C), a key milestone for defining project scope and cost.
- Strategic Technology Partnerships: Agreements secured with:
- thyssenkrupp Uhde: Advanced ammonia synthesis technology.
- thyssenkrupp Fertilizer Technology: Specializing in high-quality fluid bed urea granulation.
- Stamicarbon: Leading urea synthesis provider.
- CARBONCO: Carbon capture systems capable of sequestering 800,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ annually.
- Regulatory Approvals and Permitting: Progressing with support from government partners.
- Site Preparation and Infrastructure Development: Geotechnical and topographic surveys completed. Plans for excavation, pipeline installations and foundational construction are underway.
- Supercenters Development: Seven strategically located farmer-focused supercenters are planned across Western Canada for efficient blending, storage and distribution.
- Construction and Commissioning: PCL Construction, alongside DL E&C, will oversee construction, targeting operations commencement by 2029.
Sustainability at the core
Sustainability drives every aspect of Genesis Fertilizers’ mission. Low-carbon fertilizer production through integrated carbon capture systems will produce low-carbon-intensity fertilizer, meeting the growing demand from food companies willing to pay premiums for sustainably grown grains. With up to 800,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ captured annually, the facility’s carbon sequestration supports Canadian climate commitments. Low-carbon fertilizers empower farmers to meet regulatory standards while maintaining high yield potential.
Economic impact and community growth
The facility will create more than 1,500 construction jobs and 180 permanent operational roles, significantly energizing local economies. By stabilizing fertilizer supply and reducing exposure to international tariff risks, it enhances farmers’ economic resilience. Supporting local suppliers, transportation providers and contractors, Genesis Fertilizers fosters long-term regional economic growth.
“This project isn’t just about fertilizer,” says Kelly Ashworth, a grain producer from Oungre, Sask. “It’s about Canadian ownership and investing in the stability and future of agriculture here in Saskatchewan and across Western Canada with a locally owned and controlled supply.”
A farmer-owned Canadian model promotes stability
Genesis Fertilizers adopts a vertically integrated, Canadian-owned structure that strengthens economic positions by returning profits directly to farmer-owners and supporting reinvestment in farms and rural communities. The project ensures a secure supply chain resilient to international tariffs and market disruptions, and having farmer participation aligns with agricultural priorities.
“It’s empowering to know that decisions about this Canadian-owned facility are being made with farmers at the table,” says Darren Oliphant, a grain producer from Eston, Sask. “This is about securing a stable, reliable Canadian supply chain and the future of agriculture in Western Canada.”
Shaping the future of Canadian agriculture: the road to 2029
Genesis Fertilizers represents more than an infrastructure project. This is a collaborative movement toward sustainable farmer-empowered agriculture.
The next steps for Genesis Fertilizers include finalizing technical designs, securing permits and preparing the site for construction from 2024 to 2026; developing seven farmer-focused supercenters strategically located across Western Canada for efficient storage, blending and distribution throughout 2027 and 2028; and commissioning the facility and transitioning to full-scale production to deliver sustainable fertilizers directly to farmers in 2029.
By addressing fertilizer supply challenges, promoting environmental stewardship and reinforcing local economies with a secure Canadian-controlled supply chain, Genesis Fertilizers is shaping a resilient and sustainable future for Western Canada’s farming communities.
To learn more about Genesis Fertilizers, please visit genesisfertilizers.com/project-overview.
