ATOME PLC Urges Paraguay to Resolve Dispute Over Major Industrial Investment

ATOME PLC Takes Action on Villeta Project

On September 22, 2026, ATOME PLC, a prominent developer of low-carbon fertilizers, announced a significant legal step regarding its major investment project in Paraguay known as the Villeta Project. This project represents the largest single foreign industrial investment in Paraguay's history, totaling an impressive $665 million.

ATOME PLC, the only UK company dedicated to the international development of low-carbon fertilizers at an industrial scale, aims to address its responsibilities to shareholders while safeguarding its legitimate rights. The company recently received favorable legal advice prompting this strategic move to ensure the continuity and success of the Villeta Project.

ATOME's notification to the Government of Paraguay includes a Notice of Dispute and Intent to Submit a Claim for Arbitration under the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the UK and Paraguay. This course of action underscores ATOME’s determination to engage constructively and amicably with the Paraguayan government. The notice encourages the state to enter negotiations to resolve the dispute before escalation is necessitated.

The government of the UK has been kept informed and the Embassies of the EU, France, Germany, and the United States in Paraguay are aware of the situation. The BIT stipulates that if a resolution isn't reached within three months, ATOME may proceed with arbitration claims under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington D.C.

The Villeta Project is expected to position Paraguay as a global leader in the production of green fertilizers, enhancing both local and international food security. Anticipated benefits from the project include the creation of around 4,000 jobs during the construction phase and over 1,000 during operations, along with significant contributions to the nation’s GDP.

Despite these challenges, ATOME remains committed to addressing the relevant issues constructively and amicably but is prepared to assert its rights under international law if necessary. The company has reiterated its intention to keep the market informed of significant developments as they unfold, while ensuring that other projects remain unaffected during this dispute.

In recent strides, ATOME has validated its Final Investment Decision for the Villeta project, which is backed by tier-one international development finance institutions and leading private infrastructure investors. This project not only signifies a crucial economic investment but also aligns with global sustainability goals by addressing the environmental impacts of fertilizer production, a sector responsible for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

ATOME's green CALCIUM NITRATE fertilizer, produced using renewable energy, presents a low-carbon alternative to traditional nitrogenous fertilizers, thus aiming to mitigate the reliance on fossil fuels prevalent in current fertilizer production methods.

The company, aiming for a greener future, is under the stewardship of a board focused on sustainability, featuring leading shareholders such as Peter Levine and prominent firms like Baker Hughes, a global technology company in energy and industry.

ATOME is navigating a complex situation, balancing economic goals with environmental responsibilities and the intricate realities of international business investments. This unfolding narrative will be closely watched, not just by investors but by all stakeholders in the agricultural and energy sectors, as it exemplifies the intersection of investment, diplomacy, and global sustainability.