AdvanSix plans DEF production expansion at Hopewell facility to meet rising U.S. emissions-control demand and strengthen domestic supply chains.
AdvanSix has announced a new process design and licensing agreement aimed at evaluating the expansion of its integrated ammonia platform at its Hopewell, Virginia facility to support domestic production of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The initiative reflects the company’s strategy to strengthen its position in the U.S. chemical and emissions-control markets while addressing the rapidly rising regional demand for DEF, particularly across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. DEF is a critical additive used in modern diesel engines to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations covering transportation, construction, agriculture, and industrial sectors.
The Hopewell facility offers a strategic advantage for the proposed expansion because it already manufactures the key raw materials required for DEF production, including ammonia, carbon dioxide, and high-purity water. By utilizing its existing integrated chemical infrastructure, AdvanSix believes it can efficiently establish a domestic DEF manufacturing operation while maintaining its ongoing production of ammonium sulfate fertilizers that support the U.S. agricultural industry. The company highlighted that the project would complement rather than replace its current fertilizer operations, reinforcing its diversified chemical manufacturing model.
AdvanSix President and CEO Erin Kane stated that the company’s position as a U.S.-based manufacturer allows it to address growing domestic demand in a market that still relies heavily on imported products and production from other regions. According to Kane, the expansion would create an opportunity for AdvanSix to diversify into adjacent high-value products while leveraging the flexibility of its ammonia platform. She further emphasized that the project aligns with the company’s disciplined capital allocation strategy and its long-term objective of delivering sustainable shareholder value.
To support the proposed expansion, AdvanSix has partnered with Stamicarbon, the nitrogen technology licensing division of Nextchem under the MAIRE Group. Stamicarbon will provide the process design and proprietary licensed technology for the project. The collaboration combines AdvanSix’s expertise in integrated chemical operations with Stamicarbon’s globally recognized leadership in urea production technologies. Nextchem Managing Director Fabio Fritelli noted that the partnership demonstrates the expanding applications of nitrogen technologies beyond traditional fertilizer production. He added that the project will help strengthen Nextchem’s footprint in North America while supporting cleaner mobility solutions through DEF production.
The planned project includes the construction of a urea melt plant using Stamicarbon’s NX STAMI™ Urea technology. The facility would be fully integrated with a DEF production unit capable of converting the entire urea melt output directly into DEF. This approach is considered a first-of-its-kind application for Stamicarbon because it represents the first project where all urea production may be exclusively dedicated to DEF manufacturing instead of fertilizer products.
AdvanSix indicated that the project will proceed through detailed engineering, development, and regulatory review stages before a final investment decision is made. The company expects to reach this decision during the first half of 2027. If approved, the investment would involve a multi-year capital expenditure program, with commercial startup of the DEF facility targeted for 2029. The company expects the project to generate attractive long-term financial returns while enhancing supply security for a critical emissions-control product in the United States.
