Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 3, ATOME, a low-carbon fertilizer developer, announced that the Board of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank Group, has approved its portion of the total financing package for the company’s planned low-carbon fertilizer plant in Villeta, Paraguay. The project, valued at about US$630 million, is designed to produce 260 000 tpy of low-carbon fertilizer and represents a significant step in Paraguay’s efforts to expand sustainable industrial development.
According to ATOME, the IFC Board has approved up to US$100 million in total project financing for the Villeta Project, which includes both concessional debt and project-level equity. IFC’s participation forms part of a wider consortium of international development financiers supporting the initiative. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the world’s largest development institution dedicated to private sector investment in emerging markets. In 2024, it committed more than US$9 billion in long-term climate finance and currently holds around US$17 billion in total exposure across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Public disclosures indicate that other financial participants in the Villeta Project include the European Investment Bank (EIB), IDB Invest—the private investment arm of the Inter-American Development Bank—FMO, the Dutch development bank, and the Green Climate Fund. The combined participation of these institutions underlines the project’s alignment with international climate and sustainability goals. The financing package will support construction and operation of the plant, which aims to reduce carbon emissions through cleaner production methods.
Olivier Mussat, CEO of ATOME, said: “The IFC Board’s approval of up to US$100 million of debt and equity financing for Villeta is another strong endorsement of the Project’s maturity, bankability, and positive development impact. This is another important step towards finalising the US$630 million project funding as we remain focused on achieving FID before the end of 2025.”
Once completed, the Villeta plant is expected to strengthen Paraguay’s position as a regional producer of sustainable fertilizers and contribute to the development of low-carbon agricultural inputs in South America. The participation of multiple international finance institutions reflects growing confidence in ATOME’s strategy to develop environmentally responsible fertilizer production capacity using renewable energy sources. The project also highlights the increasing focus of global investors on supporting industrial projects that combine economic growth with emissions reduction objectives.
Overall, the IFC’s approval marks a key milestone in the Villeta Project’s financing process, reinforcing investor confidence and advancing the transition toward sustainable fertilizer production in the region.
