Our history

From addressing Europe's emerging famine in 1905 to helping feed millions globally today, Yara’s legacy is one of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.

New renewable hydrogen plant: Our new 24 MW renewable hydrogen plant in Norway is a key milestone in decarbonizing food, shipping, and energy-intensive industries.

PepsiCo Europe partnership: We partnered with PepsiCo Europe to supply lower carbon fertilizers and precision farming tools to 1,000 farmers across 128,000 hectares.

New ammonia terminal: Our new ammonia terminal in Brunsbüttel, Germany, enables imports of up to 3 million tonnes of low-emission ammonia annually.

First ship-to-ship ammonia transfer: Yara Clean Ammonia completed the world’s first ship-to-ship ammonia transfer, setting a new standard for safe and efficient ammonia handling.

Yara Eyde: Partnering with North Sea Container Line, we introduced the world’s first ammonia-powered container ship, set to sail Norway-Germany in 2026.

Investing in CCS at Sluiskil: Signed a binding agreement with Northern Lights for the first cross-border CO2 transport and storage, capturing 800,000 tons of CO2 annually and storing it 2.6 km under the Norwegian seabed.

John Deere partnership:  We integrated Yara’s agronomic expertise with John Deere's precision technology to help optimize fertilizer use.

Low carbon ammonia plants in the US: We announced plans to evaluate up to two world-scale low-carbon ammonia plants, capturing up to 95% of CO2 for permanent storage.

Yara Birkeland christened: On April 29, 2022 we christened the world’s first autonomous, electric container ship, with 500 local students and Crown Prince Haakon.

Establishing Yara Clean Ammonia: Yara Clean Ammonia was founded to accelerate the transition to low-emission ammonia solutions.

New corporate ambition: We announced our renewed commitment to "Growing a Nature-Positive Food Future," focusing on sustainable food production.

Acquisition of Ecolan Oy: Our acquisition of Finnish organic fertilizer producer Ecolan Oy reinforced our commitment to the circular economy and entry into the organic fertilizer market.

Supporting farmers during COVID-19: Amid the pandemic, we donated 40,000 tonnes of premium fertilizer to help East African farmers triple maize production.

For the first time, we digitally traced fertilizer distribution from port to farm, laying the foundation for a secure regional supply chain.

Refining our corporate strategy:  In 2018, we sharpened our focus on global challenges, committing to "Responsibly feed the world and protect the planet."

Acquiring Vale Cubatão Fertilizantes: In 2017, we strengthened our position in Latin America by acquiring Vale Cubatão Fertilizantes in Brazil.

Yara Birkeland: Partnering with Kongsberg in 2017, we began developing the world’s first fully electric, autonomous container ship, eliminating 40,000 diesel truck journeys annually.

Tata Chemicals’ Babrala Urea Plant acquisition: In 2016, we expanded in India with the acquisition of Tata Chemicals’ Babrala plant while investing in Brazil’s Rio Grande facility.

Leadership change: In 2015, Svein Tore Holsether became Yara’s President and CEO.

Award-winning innovation: In 2008, we won Norway’s prestigious "Glassbjørnen" (Glass Bear) award for our nitrous oxide abatement catalyst, significantly cutting industrial greenhouse gas emissions.

Centenary celebration: In 2005, we marked 100 years of innovation with a renewed strategy focused on sustainability in the fertilizer industry.

Independent listing: In 2004, Yara became an independent company, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange after demerging from Norsk Hydro.

Hydro's growth and acquisitions: Under Johan B. Holte, Hydro transitioned to petrochemical-based fertilizer production, modernized its structure (1967), and expanded internationally with the Qafco joint venture in Qatar (1969).

Strategic acquisitions, including NSM (1979), Supra AB (1981), Ruhr-Stickstoff AG (1985), and Cofaz (1986), cemented Hydro as Western Europe’s market leader. Expansion continued with a new terminal in China (1982) and an office in Zimbabwe (1983).

By 1995, Hydro operated on all five continents, further strengthening its position with the Adubos Trevo acquisition in Brazil (2000).

Post-war expansion: Despite wartime damage, Hydro rebuilt its research capabilities, opening new sites in Oslo and Herøya (1946).

Rapid investment and workforce growth followed, increasing from 2,500 employees (1945) to 5,000 (1955). Gaining access to hydroelectric power at Glomfjord (1947), Hydro launched ammonia production, leading to the world’s northernmost fertilizer plant by 1955.

Innovation amid economic challenges: In 1938, Hydro began producing regular NPK fertilizers, marking a major milestone in fertilizer technology. In 1927-28, it quadrupled ammonia production capacity with a new production method.

In 1905, Norsk Hydro was founded by Sam Eyde and Kristian Birkeland in Norway, marking the beginning of our journey. In 1919, our first research center was established in Skøyen, Oslo.