Macquarie Asset Management closes up to USD 325m investment in Atlas Agro

On 9 October 2023, Macquarie Asset Management has closed an up to USD 325 million investment in Atlas Agro Holding AG (Atlas Agro) and affiliated project entities via the Macquarie GIG Energy Transition Solutions (MGETS) fund.

Atlas Agro is building industrial scale green nitrogen fertiliser plants in the United States and Latin America which will utilise green hydrogen in its production process, in lieu of conventional nitrogen fertiliser production utilising fossil fuels. Atlas Agro’s innovative business model will seek to produce competitive carbon-free nitrate fertilisers locally in agricultural regions, thereby displacing imported products with a significant carbon footprint from both production and transportation.

The investment is a significant step towards enabling Atlas Agro’s expansion across the Americas and globally. It is expected to assist the company in realising its vision of providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-fuel based fertiliser products, which contribute heavily to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Niederer Kraft Frey acted as Swiss counsel to Macquarie Asset Management. The NKF team was led by Corporate/M&A partners Philippe Weber and Thomas Brönnimann working with senior associate Samuel Hochstrasser and associate Manuel Hirlinger (both Corporate/M&A). Allen & Overy LLP acted as international counsel to Macquarie Asset Management.