EIB approves $135m senior debt finance for Villeta
For immediate release
18 July 2025
ATOME PLC
("ATOME" or the "Company")
European Investment Bank Board approves US$135 million senior debt finance in-principle for Villeta Project
ATOME (AIM: ATOM), the leading developer of international green fertiliser projects, is pleased to announce that the Board of the European Investment Bank ("EIB"), the lending arm of the European Union, being part of ATOME's consortium of senior debt providers, has approved a financing in-principle of up to US$135 million for the flagship Villeta Project ("Villeta" or "the Project").
Highlights
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The Board of EIB has announced that they have approved in-principle up to US$135 million of senior debt finance for the Villeta Project |
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EIB is one of ATOME's senior debt providers for Villeta and the announcement follows the Green Climate Fund approval earlier this month |
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EIB, the European Union's long-term lending institution, wholly-owned by its 27 member states, is one of the world's largest multilateral financial institutions, having invested €270.1 million into Paraguay since 1959 and is a leader in climate finance, targeting to mobilise €1 trillion in climate and environmental investments before 2030 |
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Details of the financing will be finalised in early course, following regular Stage II processes and closing of the debt package together with the consortium of leading international development finance institutions |
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Formation of the equity consortium is progressing with ATOME targeting to close out FID by end September |
Olivier Mussat, CEO, commented:
"The European Investment Bank board's in-principle approval of US$135 million senior debt finance is another important milestone in the Villeta Project's maturity, credibility and genuine climate objectives.
"EIB is one of the largest providers of climate finance in the world and we are pleased to have EIB as one of the key supporters of this impactful, first-of-a-kind project.
The equity component of the project is coming through with target closing and FID remaining end of September."
For further information on ATOME, please visit the Company's Curation Connect showcase at: https://app.curationconnect.com/company/Atome-71605
For more information, please visit https://www.atomeplc.com or contact:
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ATOME PLC
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+44 (0) 113 337 2210 |
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Beaumont Cornish (Nominated Adviser)
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+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
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Stifel (Joint Broker) Jason Grossman, Ashton Clanfield |
+44 (0) 20 7710 7600 |
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SP Angel (Joint Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3490 0470 |
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FTI Consulting (Communications Adviser) Elizabeth Adams, Ben Brewerton |
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000 |
MAR
The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Peter Levine, Chairman.
About ATOME
ATOME PLC is an AIM-listed company targeting green fertiliser production with 445-megawatt of projects in Paraguay and a further pipeline of potential projects in Central America. ATOME has now created its ATOME POWER division which is in the early stages of developing a significant green power generation and infrastructure business. ATOME's projects are situated at the heart of one of the world's largest food export hubs - the Mercosur region in the Southern Cone of South America with the Argentinian and Brazilian markets next door. ATOME's production will disrupt the region's heavy dependence on imported fossil fuel generated fertilizer, contributing to regional food security goals.
ATOME's first project in Villeta, Paraguay, benefits from a 145MW renewable power purchase agreement and 43 hectares of land in a tax-free zone. Front End Engineering Design studies have been completed and Heads of Terms signed with Yara International, the leading international fertiliser company, for offtake of all of Villeta's green fertiliser production. In early 2025, ATOME announced Hy24, the leading clean hydrogen asset manager, as anchor and lead equity investor in the project, and confirmed the signing of the US$465 million fixed-price EPC contract with leading ammonia and fertilizer engineering specialist Casale S.A. The Company is now negotiating the project finance with a view to commencing work in 2025. There is a further up to 300MW of renewable power reserved for ATOME in Paraguay.
In Costa Rica, The National Ammonia Corporation S.A. was formed in 2022 with local partner Cavendish S.A. based in Costa Rica to develop green fertiliser projects for the region. As well as straddling the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Costa Rica is a democratic Central American country. In agriculture, Costa Rica is the second largest supplier of pineapples in the world and is in the top ten banana growers.
All power for ATOME is from 100% renewable sources and all chosen sites are located close to the power and water sources and export facilities to serve significant domestic and then international demand. Roughly a third of human-caused GHG emissions is linked to food production according to UN data, and fertiliser use and production is the source of more emissions than the shipping and aviation industries combined. ATOME's green Calcium Ammonium Nitrate product will contribute to decarbonising the food sector from the bottom up, getting to the root of the food value chain's emissions. ATOME's renewably-generated fertiliser is both clean and promotes high crop yields, unlike conventional nitrogen fertiliser which has a heavy carbon footprint.
The Company has a green-focused Board which is supported by major shareholders including Peter Levine, Schroders, a leading fund manager, and Baker Hughes, a global technology company operating in the energy and industry sectors.
Other information
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
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