ADNOC has achieved a significant milestone by delivering the world’s first certified bulk commercial shipment of low-carbon ammonia, enabled by carbon capture and storage, to Mitsui & Co., Ltd.  in Japan for clean-power generation. The low-carbon certification process, from production to delivery, was conducted by TÜV SÜD, a globally recognised certification agency.

This landmark shipment, produced by Fertiglobe, underscores ADNOC’s $23 billion (AED84 billion) commitment to decarbonisation, low-carbon solutions, and climate technologies. It supports the company’s efforts to assist its customers in decarbonising their operations, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. This shipment builds on previous demonstration cargos delivered by ADNOC to customers in Asia and Germany, marking the company’s progress in developing global low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia value chains.

Sourced from Fertil, Fertiglobe’s 100 percent-owned facility in the Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi, the cargo involves capturing and permanently storing carbon dioxide in the world’s first fully sequestered CO2 injection well in a carbonate saline aquifer.

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, ADNOC executive director for Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth, remarked, “The delivery of the world’s first certified bulk commercial shipment of CCS-enabled low-carbon ammonia to Mitsui in Japan is testament to ADNOC’s commitment to accelerating the development of lower-carbon fuels to support a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition. The UAE and Japan enjoy a longstanding strategic energy relationship, and we are building on this partnership to enable a lower-carbon future. Hydrogen and its carrier fuels such as ammonia will play a critical role in decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial sectors, and we will continue to work with our customers to advance these solutions and help them reduce their emissions.”

According to the International Energy Agency, hydrogen is expected to account for around 10 percent of global energy consumption by 2050 to achieve net zero emissions. ADNOC is an early mover in hydrogen production and aims to capture 5% of the global low-carbon hydrogen market by 2030, supporting the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy. Low-carbon ammonia is considered a promising hydrogen carrier and potential clean fuel for various applications, including transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors like steel, cement, and fertiliser production.

Junji Fukuoka, managing officer of Mitsui, stated, “We have worked together with ADNOC, METI, and stakeholders in Japan to deliver this first bulk commercial shipment of CCS-based low-carbon ammonia. Mitsui has continued to enhance our relationship with ADNOC since we first began our participation in ADNOC LNG in 1973, and recently we have joined the TA’ZIZ low-carbon ammonia project. Energy solutions remain a strategic focus for Mitsui, thus, we are excited to commence this large-scale clean hydrogen and ammonia value chain with ADNOC in light of global climate action.”

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also highlighted the importance of Japan-UAE bilateral cooperation and congratulated ADNOC on the successful shipment to Mitsui.

This year, ADNOC has initiated the design of a facility in Abu Dhabi that will produce up to 360,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen annually by capturing up to 3 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to removing over 650,000 internal combustion vehicles from the road. Additionally, ADNOC, alongside partners TA’ZIZ, Fertiglobe, G.S. Energy Corporation, and Mitsui, is developing a 1 million tonnes per year low-carbon ammonia facility at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone.

For more information visit www.adnoc.ae

15th May 2024