This $475M Indiana Plant Turns Petcoke Into Clean Fuel

Construction crews are now in the ground in West Terre Haute, Indiana, marking a turning point for one of the Midwest's most ambitious low-carbon ammonia projects. Samsung E&A officially broke ground on January 7, 2026, kicking off what's expected to become a cornerstone of America's clean energy infrastructure.

The facility, developed by Wabash Valley Resources, will convert petroleum coke into low-carbon ammonia while capturing roughly 1.67 million tons of CO2 annually. That's equivalent to taking over 360,000 cars off the road every year.

>> RELATED: $400M Bet on Blue Ammonia: Industry Giants Push Carbon Capture in Louisiana

What Makes This Project Different

Unlike traditional ammonia production that relies heavily on natural gas reforming, the Wabash project takes a different path. It uses gasification technology to convert petroleum coke, a refinery byproduct, into synthesis gas. That syngas then becomes the feedstock for ammonia production.

The real innovation here is the integrated carbon capture system. Instead of releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, the facility will capture it and sequester it underground in deep geological formations.

Samsung E&A's Growing Clean Energy Footprint

This project isn't Samsung E&A's first foray into low-carbon ammonia. The South Korean engineering giant has been steadily building its portfolio in the decarbonization space, securing contracts across hydrogen production, sustainable fuels, and carbon capture.

The company's expertise in complex energy projects makes it a natural fit for the Wabash facility. Managing the integration of gasification, ammonia synthesis, and carbon capture requires deep technical know-how and project management capabilities.

>> In Other News: Buckeye Gives Final Support to Rezone Nikola Property for Hydrogen Huba

Why Low-Carbon Ammonia Matters

Ammonia isn't just for fertilizers anymore. It's emerging as one of the most promising hydrogen carriers for long-distance energy transport. Countries like Japan and South Korea are already investing heavily in ammonia co-firing for power generation as they work to decarbonize their electricity grids.

The chemistry is straightforward. Ammonia can be cracked back into hydrogen at the destination. Unlike hydrogen, which requires extreme cooling, ammonia uses existing shipping infrastructure.

The U.S. is positioning itself as a major exporter in this space. Projects like Wabash Valley join a growing list of clean ammonia facilities coming online across the Gulf Coast and Midwest.

The Policy Tailwind

Federal incentives are playing a big role. The 45Q tax credit offers up to $85 per ton for captured CO2 that's permanently sequestered. For a facility capturing 1.67 million tons annually, that translates to potential credits exceeding $140 million per year.

Indiana has also been working to attract carbon storage and clean energy investments. The state's central location and existing industrial infrastructure make it an attractive base for projects targeting both domestic and international markets.

Building Momentum in the Midwest

The Wabash project adds to a wave of carbon capture investments sweeping through the heartland. Unlike the Gulf Coast, which has dominated headlines with mega-scale blue hydrogen and ammonia announcements, the Midwest is carving out its own niche.

What sets this region apart is access to different feedstocks and geological storage. The Illinois Basin, which extends beneath Indiana, offers significant CO2 sequestration potential that developers are just beginning to tap.

Indiana's industrial legacy also plays a role. The state has refining and chemical manufacturing infrastructure that can supply feedstocks like petroleum coke. Instead of treating petcoke as a waste product, facilities like Wabash Valley convert it into something valuable while capturing the carbon that would otherwise be released.

What Comes Next

The construction phase is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region, with operations adding permanent positions once production begins.

For the broader industry, this groundbreaking sends a clear signal. Low-carbon ammonia isn't just a concept on paper. It's happening now, with real capital flowing into projects that combine proven technology with carbon management solutions.

The question is no longer whether these facilities can be built. It's how fast supply can scale to meet growing global demand.