Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated Cinis Fertilizer, a Sweden-based producer of green fertilizer, on plans to locate a new $109.2 million production plant in Christian County, a project that will create 65 new full-time jobs.
“Kentucky has worked hard to ensure that we see investment and job creation in every corner of the state, and Hopkinsville has continually been a hub for both,” said Gov. Beshear. “This investment from Cinis Fertilizer builds on the economic growth Christian County has seen in recent years, and I’m excited to see this company thrive in its New Kentucky Home.”
The company will construct a new facility at 200 Recharge Blvd. in Hopkinsville, with construction beginning mid-2025. The operation will recycle waste salt from battery production at the nearby Ascend Elements facility to produce low-carbon fertilizer. New jobs created at the facility will include, among others, process operators, warehouse personnel, process engineers and general administration.
This announcement from Cinis Fertilizer follows Ascend Elements’ recent partnership with SK ecoplant to locate a $65.8 million lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Hopkinsville, a project that is creating 60 new full-time jobs in the area. The operation will recycle approximately 56,000 electric vehicle batteries per year with construction having begun in November 2023 and set to be completed by January 2025.
“We are very excited to be taking a first step outside the Nordics and continuing our expansion by establishing our next production facility in Hopkinsville,” said Cinis Fertilizer founder and CEO Jakob Liedberg. “We will recycle waste streams from Ascend Elements to produce an environmentally friendly mineral fertilizer, enabling a more sustainable agriculture. We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received in Kentucky and look forward to becoming part of the community and contributing to the future of Hopkinsville.”
Cinis Fertilizer was founded in Lund, Sweden, by Liedberg, a chemical engineer. With his background in the fertilizer industry, Liedberg knew of its benefits to agriculture and society but recognized that production wasn’t sustainable and began to pursue strategies to decarbonize the agriculture industry. He saw potential for cross-fertilization, solving the waste issue and circularity for traditional industries while decarbonizing plant nutrition. Today, Cinis Fertilizer is producing their upcycled fertilizer in Sweden and has agreements in place to recycle waste from several battery manufacturers, including Ascend Elements. The company’s patent-protected technology uses half as much energy as today’s dominant production method, and the result is a potassium sulfate fertilizer with a low carbon footprint, enabling sustainable agriculture.
Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam thanked the company for its commitment to the region: “Christian County is excited to welcome Cinis Fertilizer to our region with the company bringing Swedish innovation intersecting with Southwestern Kentucky’s proven agricultural leadership and production. We thank company leadership for their commitment to invest in our region and are confident that they’ll enjoy the logistical benefits and cost savings advantages while operating in Southwestern Kentucky.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James Knight welcomed the company to the community: “The city of Hopkinsville welcomes Cinis Fertilizer to our community and region. We are honored company leadership chose our community for their over $109 million investment and subsequent creation of up to 65 new jobs once the company is fully operational in Commerce Park II. More important, we pledge ongoing support to ensure the company’s success for decades to come.”
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, mentioned the advantages to locating in the area: “Cinis Fertilizer’s decision to choose Commerce Park II continues to demonstrate that our region has the location, workforce, business environment and quality of life to help companies succeed from announcement through every anniversary. We are thankful to the company’s leadership, Gov. Beshear, the Cabinet for Economic Development, TVA, our local governments, education, workforce and utility partners for their continued support and professionalism as we work with world class companies like Cinis Fertilizer.”
John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of economic development, mentioned the parties that worked together to make the project possible: “TVA and Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. congratulate Cinis Fertilizer on its decision to establish operations in Christian County. Helping to support companies, like Cinis Fertilizer, that are creating jobs and investment in the region is at the core of TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, city of Hopkinsville, Christian County and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to further that mission and celebrate this announcement together.”