Nacero to Build a Large-Scale, Clean Gasoline Manufacturing Plant in Casa Grande, Arizona

CASA GRANDE, AZ (March 17, 2020) — Nacero Inc. today announced plans to build a $3+ billion natural gas to gasoline manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona. Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and be completed in phases through 2025. Nacero Casa Grande will produce 35,000 barrels per day of cost-competitive, lower carbon footprint, zero sulfur gasoline that is usable in today’s cars and trucks.

“By making an environmentally superior gasoline from natural gas, Nacero will enable drivers to keep their cars and help the planet,” said Jay McKenna, Nacero’s CEO. “Using existing vehicles, markets, infrastructure, and technology enables Nacero to quickly and predictably create large-scale benefits.” 

Nacero gasoline will have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional gasoline because the process of making gasoline from natural gas does not produce the byproducts of crude oil refining. Nacero estimates that its Casa Grande facility will avoid the introduction of approximately 5.2 million tons per year of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the amount emitted annually by roughly 1 million cars. 

By producing gasoline with zero sulfur content Nacero will cause catalytic converters to be more effective in removing NOx, CO, and VOCs, the precursors of ground level ozone. Ground level ozone is harmful to humans and is limiting economic development in Arizona. 

“Nacero's zero-sulfur gasoline will be a win for the environment and the economy,” said Misael Cabrera, Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

“No other innovation has the potential to do so much, so quickly, without cost to the consumer," said Tom Tureen, Nacero Chairman.

Nacero Casa Grande is one of the largest projects ever undertaken in Arizona. It will generate an estimated 2,000 jobs during construction, 265 high-paying, permanent jobs in rural Arizona after completion and give Arizona a measure of gasoline independence and supply diversity for the first time. Arizona State University estimates that Nacero Casa Grande will add an estimated $6.9 billion to the economy of the State over 40 years, not counting income taxes.

“We are very proud that Nacero has selected Casa Grande, Arizona as the home for this first-in-the-nation, high-tech manufacturing facility,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO. “This is a truly incredible project that further advances Arizona’s reputation as a global hub for innovation. We’re grateful to Nacero for this significant investment which will have a highly positive impact on our statewide economy.”

"A project of this magnitude will be a game-changer that will impact Arizona and especially Pinal County for decades to come. I'm looking forward to seeing first-hand the success of Nacero, and the high-quality jobs it will bring to our area," said Anthony Smith, Chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.

“Nacero's investment is three times larger than any other investment made in Pinal County and because it is net water positive, will be an asset to our aquifer," said Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller. "The interaction with Nacero has been of the highest quality of professionalism and I’m sure that will be the signature of their operations.”

“I am especially impressed by the interest Nacero has shown in our community, its commitment to safety and its creative approach to water," said Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland. "On behalf of Casa Grande, I say ‘Welcome, Nacero.’” 

Nacero Casa Grande will be located in the heart of Casa Grande’s growing industrial/technology corridor on existing rail, highway, and interstate natural gas pipelines. The process of making gasoline from natural gas produces two and a half gallons of water for every gallon of gasoline, so the system will self-generate 80% of the water it needs. The remaining 20% (1,000 acre feet per year) will come from the Casa Grande wastewater treatment plant. An estimated 4,000-acre feet currently used to grow alfalfa on the Nacero site will be left in the ground. 100% of the facility’s peak electricity will come from an on-site solar photovoltaic power plant.

Casa Grande Assistant Fire Chief David Kean commended Nacero for its proactive approach. "I am impressed by Nacero’s focus on safety. Their engineers met with us at the start of the process, not the end, as usually happens.”

“We welcome Nacero, 'The New Gasoline,' to Arizona," said Glenn Hamer, CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Nacero will diversity our manufacturing base, put quality jobs in rural Arizona, and give Arizona a measure of gasoline independence for the first time.”

Nacero uses the Haldor Topsoe TIGASTM process, the only natural gas to gasoline process operating at large scale in the world today. Haldor Topsoe, based in Denmark, is a world leader in process technology and catalyst production.

About Nacero Inc.
Based in Houston, TX, Nacero Inc. is bringing a new gasoline to market, one that is made from natural gas, not crude oil. The Company plans to build production facilities across the United States in markets where it can create environmental and economic benefit for consumers, host communities, commercial partners, and shareholders. Founded in 2015, Nacero is led by a team with more than 400 years of combined successful project experience across power, renewables, LNG, fuels, and petrochemicals. 

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.