Federal officials, state leaders, and energy executives will gather Wednesday to celebrate a milestone years in the making as CF Industries breaks ground on Blue Point One, a nearly $4 billion low-carbon ammonia facility expected to become the world’s largest of its kind.
The groundbreaking marks the start of major construction on the joint venture between CF Industries, Japan-based JERA Co. Inc. and Mitsui & Co. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in 2029.
CF Industries, the world’s largest producer of ammonia, announced in April 2025 its final investment decision to build the facility in Ascension Parish. The final investment decision followed CF Industries’ 2022 announcement that it was evaluating the site in Ascension Parish for a world-scale facility.
For Terry Dugas, general manager of the Blue Point Complex, Wednesday represents the culmination of years of planning, engineering, permitting and collaboration among the project partners, government agencies and the local community.
“This milestone comes after years of planning, engineering, permitting efforts, collaboration with our partners, local communities and government stakeholders,” Dugas says. “It’s a $3.7 billion investment that combines domestic energy advantages, world-class engineering and global partnerships.”
Dugas notes construction activity has already begun and will support approximately 3,900 construction jobs over the project’s four-year buildout. CF Industries has also started hiring and training the workforce that will operate the facility once it comes online. The project is expected to create more than 100 permanent jobs with an average salary of approximately $110,000 per year.
Once operational, Blue Point One will produce about 1.4 million metric tons of low-carbon ammonia annually, making it the world’s largest ammonia plant by nameplate capacity. The facility will use autothermal reforming technology and carbon capture systems designed to permanently sequester nearly 98% of the carbon dioxide generated during production.
The project will strengthen Ascension Parish’s role as a growing hub for advanced manufacturing and low-carbon energy, Dugas says. He noted the parish’s strategic position, access to natural gas, carbon sequestration infrastructure and deep-water shipping capabilities make it well suited to serve both traditional agricultural customers and emerging energy markets.
“It brings next-generation ammonia production technology to Louisiana with the ability to support both traditional agricultural demand and emerging energy applications,” he says.
Blue Point One is expected to capture about 2.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually for permanent storage through 1PointFive’s Pelican Sequestration Hub in Louisiana. CF Industries is also investing an additional $550 million in shared infrastructure at the Blue Point site, including storage and loading facilities that will support the joint venture.
Beyond its economic impact, Dugas says the project will expand CF Industries’ investment in the surrounding community. He pointed to the company’s recent $1.8 million donation to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to support its Groceries on the Go mobile market serving Ascension Parish and neighboring communities.
Reach Ascension Business Report News Editor Jordan Arceneaux at jordan@businessreport.com.
