Vertex Hydrogen has signed a ‘Heads of Terms’ offtake agreement for over 200 megawatts of low carbon hydrogen with Northwich-based Tata Chemicals Europe (“TCE”).

TCE is one of Europe’s leading producers of sodium carbonate, salt, sodium bicarbonate and other products used in the manufacture of food and animal feed, glass, detergents, chemicals and several other industry applications.

In June 2022, Tata opened the UK’s first industrial scale carbon capture and usage plant. The £20 million investment captures 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – the equivalent to taking over 20,000 cars off the road.

Under the new offtake agreement, Vertex will supply TCE with hydrogen as the manufacturer continues to decarbonise its operations in the UK with a target of achieving “net zero” manufacturing by 2030.

Joe Seifert, CEO of Vertex Hydrogen said: “We are thrilled to sign these Heads of Terms with TATA Chemicals Europe, as an industry leader driving tangible change to reduce emissions. This agreement marks another major step forward in the North West’s energy transition, as Vertex continues to help build the UK’s low carbon energy future.”

Martin Ashcroft, Managing Director of Tata Chemicals Europe, said: “We have been supporters of Vertex and the low carbon hydrogen segment as a real opportunity to further reduce emissions at our world class CHP facility. This agreement marks the next step in our relationship as we continue our journey as a leader in industrial decarbonisation.”

Vertex is proud to be helping the UK lead the development of low carbon hydrogen production as an integral part of HyNet – the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation cluster. It will help to solve our urgent need to drastically reduce carbon emissions in our manufacturing sector – securing and growing vital industry.

Vertex is:
• Delivering an initial 1,000 megawatts of low carbon hydrogen capacity – enough to provide the fuel consumed by a city the size of Liverpool;
• Capturing 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year at full capacity – equivalent to taking 750,000 cars off the roads;
• Investing around £1 billion in the North West of the UK and facilitating the investment of a further £1 billion or more of associated infrastructure;
• Playing a leading role in kickstarting the UK low carbon, large scale hydrogen market.

For more information visit www.vertexhydrogen.com

Matador Resources Company has announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matador has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Advance Energy Partners Holdings, LLC, including certain oil and natural gas producing properties and undeveloped acreage located in Lea County, New Mexico and Ward County, Texas. The consideration for the Advance Transaction will consist of an initial cash payment of $1.6 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments, plus additional cash consideration of $7.5 million for each month during 2023 in which the average oil price as defined in the securities purchase agreement exceeds $85 per barrel. Advance is a portfolio company of EnCap Investments L.P.

The Advance Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2023 with an effective date of January 1, 2023. A short slide presentation summarizing the Advance Transaction is also included on the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab. Matador’s management will host a live conference call to discuss the Advance Transaction on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 10:00 am Central Time.

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matador’s founder, chairman and CEO, commented, “Matador is very excited by this strategic bolt-on opportunity as well as the opportunity to work with Advance and EnCap. We view this transaction as a unique value-creating opportunity for Matador and its shareholders. We evaluated this transaction based on rock quality, the strong existing production and cash flow profile, the potential reserves additions, the high-quality inventory, the available midstream opportunities and the strategic fit within our existing portfolio of properties. We intend to fund the Advance Transaction with a combination of cash on hand, free cash flow prior to closing and borrowings under our credit agreement, under which we expect to increase our elected commitment in connection with this transaction. Importantly, this acquisition should not significantly impact Matador’s leverage profile, as we expect to maintain a pro forma leverage ratio below 1.0x throughout 2023. In late November 2022, as part of the fall 2022 redetermination process, Matador’s lenders completed their review of the Company’s proved oil and natural gas reserves at June 30, 2022. As a result, the borrowing base under our credit agreement was increased by 13 percent from $2.0 billion to $2.25 billion.”

Transaction Highlights

• Expected to generate forward one-year Adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately $475 to $525 million at strip prices as of mid-January 2023, which represents an attractive purchase price multiple of 3.2x
• Accretive to relevant key financial and valuation metrics
• Significant increase in pro forma drilling locations in primary development zones
• Provides upside related to potential midstream opportunities for Pronto Midstream, LLC (“Pronto”), Matador’s wholly-owned midstream subsidiary, which operates in this area of Lea County, New Mexico
• PV-10 (present value discounted at 10 percent)2 at December 31, 2022 of $1.92 billion on total proved oil and natural gas reserves utilising strip pricing as of mid-January 2023, which is in excess of the $1.6 billion purchase price
• PV-102 of proved developed (PD) oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2022 of $1.14 billion, or approximately $45,600 per flowing BOE, utilizing strip pricing as of mid-January 2023
• Preserves Matador’s strong balance sheet with leverage expected to remain below 1.0x, allowing Matador to maintain operational and financial flexibility while continuing to return value to shareholders through its fixed quarterly dividend

Asset Highlights

• Estimated production in the first quarter of 2023 of 24,500 to 25,500 barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent (“BOE”) per day (74 percent oil)
• Approximately 18,500 net acres (99 percent held by production) in the core of the northern Delaware Basin, most of which is strategically located in Matador’s Ranger asset area in Lea County, New Mexico near Matador’s existing properties
• 406 gross (203 net) horizontal locations identified for future drilling, including prospective targets throughout the Wolfcamp, Bone Spring and Avalon formations
• Include 21 gross (20 net) drilled but uncompleted wells (“DUCs”) expected to be turned to sales in the second half of 2023
• Include 206 gross (174 net) operated locations (84 percent working interest) and 200 gross (29 net) non-operated locations (15 percent working interest)
• Locations are consistent with Matador’s methodology for estimating inventory with typically three to four (or fewer) locations per section, or the equivalent of 160-acre (or greater) spacing, in all prospective completion intervals
• 38 gross (35 net) additional upside locations in the Wolfcamp D formation
• Conducive to drilling longer laterals with an expected average lateral length for operated locations of approximately 9,400 feet
• Advance is currently utilizing one drilling rig to drill 21 gross (19 net) wells in the northern portion of Matador’s Antelope Ridge asset area in Lea County, New Mexico, but these wells are not expected to be turned to sales until early 2024
• Estimated drilling, completing and equipping (“D/C/E”) capital expenditures of $300 to $350 million in 2023 based upon one drilling rig operating on the Advance properties,
• Includes anticipated completion costs for the 21 gross DUCs noted above
• Approximately $225 to $275 million is expected to be incurred between the anticipated closing date and year end 2023

Matador estimates total proved oil and natural gas reserves associated with these properties of approximately 106.4 million BOE (73 percent oil) at December 31, 2022. PV-102 of the proved oil and natural gas reserves of these properties at December 31, 2022 was approximately $2.86 billion using the same unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month prices for the previous 12-month period being used to value the Company’s reserves at December 31, 2022, which are $90.15 per barrel of oil and $6.36 per MMBtu of natural gas. Matador expects to add future proved reserves and reserves value as a result of the development of these properties going forward. These reserves estimates were prepared by Matador’s engineering staff and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent reservoir engineers.

Mr. Foran further commented, “We have carefully managed and strengthened our balance sheet over time in order to be in a position for a special opportunity like this. The specific location and quality of these select assets, the strong existing cash flow, the multi-pay potential, the cost savings associated with developing these assets via longer laterals on multi-well pads with centralised facilities, the midstream synergies with Pronto and the held-by-production status of the acreage were key features that attracted us to this unique opportunity and should significantly enhance our already strong Delaware Basin portfolio. This acquisition also provides us with increased operational scale in the Delaware Basin, which we expect will improve our overall rates of return and unit-of-production costs.

“Gary Petersen is one of the Founders and Managing Partners of EnCap. I have known Gary for many years. Gary is one of the people I have most admired and respected in our industry. We have always wanted to do a deal like this together. The relationship with Gary was critical to the smooth negotiation of this transaction, and I want to thank Gary, the other individuals at EnCap, the Advance team and the Matador team for their hard work and integrity in reaching a deal that is a win-win for both parties. We also appreciate the support of our other friends and shareholders, and we look forward to the additional opportunities and free cash flow that this new acreage will provide for Matador.”

Conference Call Information

Management will host a live conference call to discuss the Advance Transaction on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 10:00 am Central Time. To access the live conference call by phone, you can use the following link https://register.vevent.com/register/BId769e220508c4d2ca6aa8480e2b08f0a and you will be provided with dial-in details after registering. To avoid delays, it is recommended that participants dial into the conference call at least 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

The live conference call will also be available through the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab. The replay for the event will be available on the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab for one year following the date of the conference call.

For more information, visit Matador Resources Company at www.matadorresources.com.

Sempra Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Sempra, has announced it has entered into a long-term sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with PKN ORLEN S.A., which recently acquired the Polish Oil & Gas Company (PGNiG), for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project under development in Jefferson County, Texas. With this agreement, the projected LNG off-take capacity for the Phase 1 project is now fully subscribed under binding long-term agreements.

Under the SPA, PKN ORLEN has agreed to purchase approximately 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project on a free-on-board basis for 20 years.

“We are excited to partner with PKN ORLEN, Central Europe’s largest energy group, as they continue to look for long-term, diverse supplies of secure energy sources,” said Justin Bird, CEO of Sempra Infrastructure. “With the long-term off-take capacity for Phase 1 now sold under binding agreements, we expect to reach FID later this quarter and commence construction on the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project to help meet the increasing demand for LNG across Europe and the rest of the world.”

“We are delighted to enter into this long-term agreement with Sempra Infrastructure. This is an important step towards strengthening PKN ORLEN’s position as a cornerstone of crude and fuel supply security in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Daniel Obajtek, CEO of PKN ORLEN. “Already last year, during a very tense situation on the EU energy market, the United States became one of the main suppliers of natural gas to Poland. By establishing a partnership with Sempra Infrastructure, we are increasing the diversification of our import portfolio and we are securing additional volumes of natural gas, which will be used both to provide for the needs of the Polish customers and to enhance PKN ORLEN’s presence in the international energy market.”

Sempra Infrastructure has previously announced it has entered into long-term agreements with each of ConocoPhillips, INEOS, ENGIE and RWE for the sale and purchase of LNG from the proposed Phase 1 project. In aggregate, Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 is now fully subscribed with 10.5 Mtpa under binding long-term agreements. The company is focused on completing the remaining steps necessary to achieve its goal of making a final investment decision for the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project in the first quarter of 2023, with first cargo deliveries expected in 2027.

The Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project is permitted and expected to include two natural gas liquefaction trains and LNG storage tanks and associated facilities capable of producing, under optimal conditions, up to approximately 13.5 Mtpa of LNG. A similarly sized Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project is also competitively positioned and under active marketing and development.

Development of the Port Arthur LNG projects is contingent upon completing the required commercial agreements, securing and/or maintaining all necessary permits, obtaining financing, and reaching a final investment decision, among other factors.

For more information visit semprainfrastructure.com

Cognizant has entered into an agreement to acquire Mobica, an IoT software engineering services provider headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom. Mobica’s services span the full software development cycle, with core competencies in development, implementation, testing and deployment of embedded software, and a specialisation in clients’ strategic internal research and development projects.

The acquisition significantly expands Cognizant’s IoT embedded software engineering capabilities and provides clients with a deeper and broader array of end-to-end support to enable digital transformation. Embedded software engineering is a fast-growing segment of the IoT and engineering market. Market intelligence firm IDC forecasts global product engineering spending to increase from $83 billion in 2021 to $164 billion by 2026.1

Upon closing of the acquisition, Cognizant will add nearly 900 people across Europe and North America, including approximately 550 engineers in Poland.

“Mobica’s strong track record of delivering strategic embedded software engineering services is well-aligned to Cognizant’s Global 2000 client base and key industries, while its large presence in Poland significantly enhances our growing development teams in Eastern Europe,” said Annadurai Elango, Executive Vice President of Cognizant’s Core Technologies and Insights. “We believe combining Mobica’s expertise with Cognizant’s strong IoT and product engineering capabilities will result in enhanced digital transformation outcomes for global clients in the technology and automotive industries and beyond.”

Mobica’s expertise in three key areas – connected devices and digital transformation, silicon and technology platforms, and automotive and intelligent mobility – is expected to further strengthen Cognizant’s client offerings and position as a strategic partner in enterprise digital transformation.

“Mobica has built a reputation for world-class IoT embedded software engineering expertise across the entire technology stack, from chip to cloud,” said Sam Kingston, CEO of Mobica. “The alignment we share with Cognizant from a technology, industry and client-focus standpoint represents a strong platform for continued growth in Europe and North America, and an opportunity for our talented team to grow their skills and careers.”

Mobica builds upon Cognizant’s earlier efforts to establish strategic capabilities in Eastern Europe via the acquisitions of Softvision in 2018 and Devbridge in 2021, which have significant software product engineering operations in Romania and Lithuania, respectively. Upon acquiring Mobica, Cognizant will have more than 7,500 associates in Eastern Europe, including approximately 4,500 engineers.

The acquisition is expected to close in February 2023, subject to satisfaction of closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.

For more information visit www.news.cognizant.com

Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG and Hapag-Lloyd AG have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate options for the supply of ammonia as bunker fuel to Hapag-Lloyd in and around the Port of Hamburg, Germany and also the Port of Houston, Texas, USA.

Together, Mabanaft and Hapag-Lloyd will assess the viability of and the options for the safe handling of clean ammonia as a bunker fuel in and around the Port of Hamburg. The companies will evaluate the commercial, technical, and regulatory requirements and engage with all relevant stakeholders as part of this initiative. In a second step, a similar assessment will be done for the Port of Houston.

Mabanaft is in the process of developing infrastructure in Hamburg for import and supply of clean ammonia for a lead customer, along with a larger infrastructure investment program, to create a platform for low carbon fuel alternatives. In November last year, Mabanaft announced the intention to build Germany’s first large-scale, green energy import terminal in Hamburg, together with project partner Air Products. The project is an important step towards the development of a green ammonia import and distribution infrastructure in the Port of Hamburg. Targeted to provide hydrogen to Germany in 2026, the planned import terminal is to be located at Mabanaft’s existing Blumensand terminal in the port. Furthermore, Mabanaft is a shareholder in Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC (GCA), a world-scale ammonia production facility in Texas City, Texas, scheduled for commissioning by mid-2023. To provide the international shipping industry with a future-ready fuel option, Mabanaft is securing clean ammonia supply and exploring opportunities for the development of related bunkering infrastructure in and around the Port of Hamburg and along the United States Gulf Coast.

“We play an active role in shaping the energy transition and offer our customers innovative fuel solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” explains Volker Ebeling, Senior Vice President of New Energy, Chemicals & Gas at Mabanaft. “In shipping, we intend to support that transition for example through investments in ammonia production and the development of related supply infrastructure”.

Ammonia is already a critical feedstock for the chemical industry, and it offers several advantages also in other industries, like shipping. The gas itself is not a greenhouse gas, it combusts completely without emitting any CO2, and it only releases nitrogen and water. This has prompted the first pilot tests in Norway to operate ships in a climate-friendly way using ammonia.

Tony Elliott, Head of Ammonia at Mabanaft, is convinced about the opportunities for ammonia in the shipping industry; “Ammonia has the potential to play an important role in decarbonising the global maritime industry. It has a higher energy density compared to, for example, pure hydrogen and is more easily transported and stored”, he says.

Hapag-Lloyd is a leading global liner shipping company involved in the transportation of containers across the world and is directly purchasing marine bunker fuels as an essential part of its operational activities. As part of its commitment to sustainability, the company is looking for reliable suppliers of zero-carbon fuels in key strategic ports.

“When produced with renewable energy, ammonia is a promising sustainable fuel that may become an integral part of the energy mix of future maritime shipping. We look forward to this partnership with Mabanaft and to jointly making progress on the industry’s path towards climate neutrality” says Jan Christensen, Senior Director Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd.

Nevertheless, decarbonisation of the shipping industry is a global challenge, requiring action and commitments from all stakeholders across the industry. Global solutions will require a global policy framework that supports a range of processes to make ammonia an accessible zero-carbon fuel.

For more information visit www.mabanaft.com

In 2022 Port of Frederikshavn experienced an increase in turnover of 46.7 percent compared to the turnover in 2021. The increase is primarily due to the new activities on the port expansion.

Chairman Bo Uggerhøj is very satisfied with the development strategy of the port now really showing results:

– 2022 is the first year, where we have seen the effect of the port expansion. We have experienced a considerable increase in our turnover and the latest statement shows that 350 new jobs have been created, primarily derived from the port expansion.

This acknowledges that we have a solid business plan, says Bo Uggerhøj.

CEO Mikkel Seedorff Sørensen is also satisfied with the increase in 2022 and also sees that Port of Frederikshavn faces an exciting future:

– The turnover is increasing concurrently with the new activities in connection with the port expansion are getting started, and we expect further increase in 2023, when the new activities concerning the bunker terminal will be started. Furthermore we experience increased demand on both areas and quay capacity with large water depth, and we are looking into many new exciting projects and more new jobs on the way, expresses Mikkel Seedorff Sørensen.

The turnover in 2022 is the largest for Port of Frederikshavn as independent municipal harbour.

For more information visit www.pof.dk/forside.aspx

Koole Terminals, a leading provider in integrated and innovative storage, processing and logistics solutions for liquid bulk products, has acquired Maastank B.V.

The Maastank terminal in Botlek Rotterdam, formerly part of the Dekker Group,
is a key player in the Rotterdam port area in the storage and handling of vegetable
oils, fats, and biofuel feedstocks.

“The acquisition of Maastank is one of the many steps in our strategy to meet the challenges in energy transition,” said John Kraakman, CEO of Koole Terminals. “In order to further develop and strengthen a future-focused infrastructure and service portfolio, it is necessary to keep investing in expanding and ensuring an optimal supply chain for our customers in biofuel feedstocks and vegetable oil products.”

“This transaction is testament to the value of Maastank’s portfolio of services,” commented Jan Duel, CEO of the Dekker Group. “I am proud of the talented team we have brought together, and the terminal we have developed. I have full confidence that Koole Terminals is the right partner for Maastank in the next phase of the company’s journey.”

Jan Duel continued: “This transaction will benefit both Maastank’s employees and customers, by providing the necessary resources to drive further growth. It will also bring value to the port of Rotterdam, where we have had the privilege to grow our business.”

Strengthening the European footprint

“The addition of Maastank to the Koole service portfolio provides greater capacity and expansion opportunities at the port of Rotterdam, which remains a strategic gateway in Europe for storage and transshipment, and processing of various products,“ said John Kraakman.“This acquisition will make it possible for Koole to further enhance the scale and breadth of services offered in some of our core product markets in Rotterdam, thereby deepening our supply chain integrated customer relationships and facilitating further growth of our platform of terminals.”

Koole will operate the facility as multi-product terminal under the leadership of the facility’s current management team. Future plans include further developing the quality of its multimodal solutions in the Rotterdam area – which will be serviced by the facility – as well as further investments into the terminal’s infrastructure and capacity.

With this acquisition Koole is strengthening its European footprint by providing end-to-end services in storage solutions. The Koole Group has 21 tank terminals, strategically located in 7 European countries: the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and Italy.

For more information visit www.koole.com

On 1 January 2023, the first ever batch of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) was delivered through the NATO Central European Pipeline System (CEPS) to a commercial airport in Europe. Evos Ghent is proud of its storage and logistics role in enabling the ambitions of customer Neste to be the first to deliver SAF into the CEPS pipeline to Brussels airport.

The delivery follows a 10-year investment at Evos Ghent in infrastructure for the storage, processing and distribution of renewables and biofuels. “For several years we have been developing a fully adapted infrastructure for renewable jet fuel” says Jeroen Lagerweij, managing director Evos Ghent. Consequently, the terminal is now one of the largest SAF terminals worldwide offering the facilities and flexibility to load/unload SAF for all transport modes including trucks, containers, barges and seagoing shipping, and railcars. “SAF is the future and we would like to help build it and grow together with our customers” adds Tom D’Oosterlinck, HSSE Specialist at Evos Ghent.

Beyond Ghent: North Sea Port

North Sea Port, which includes the Evos terminals at Ghent and Terneuzen, is the 60-kilometre cross-border port area that stretches from Vlissingen in the Netherlands on the North Sea to Ghent, Belgium. The energy transition and circular economy are high on the agenda and Evos plays an increasingly significant role in this. Both terminals have worked with a range of partners to develop an ecosystem that produces biofuels from waste and renewable feedstocks. These products are shipped to the rest of Europe.

“The Evos Green Hub mission is already a fact if you look at the volumes of biofuels and SAF” says Jeroen Lagerweij. “And it doesn’t stop there. We will continue to be a partner in sustainability and remain part of the future solution.”

For more information visit www.evos.eu

With the announcement of PureCycle’s plastic recycling plant, the filling-in of the first part of NextGen District, the hotspot for circular economy at the heart of the Antwerp port site, has been completed and the first spade stroke will go into the ground before the end of the year. Today, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is launching a second tender procedure for the plots available within NextGen Demo. This innovation hub is part of NextGen District and is aimed at pioneers looking for space and support to test their projects before scaling them up to a commercial level. Thanks to the input and responses following the first call, in late 2021, the offer has now been further refined and tailored.

Innovation hub within NextGen District

Port of Antwerp-Bruges offers a site with a total area of 88 ha for NextGen District with the ambition to set up a hotspot for circular economy. NextGen Demo is a zone within this cluster in the heart of the Antwerp industry, where demonstrators can test new technologies and circular demo projects that have outgrown the lab on a larger scale and in an industrial environment before proceeding to commercialisation.

Global gamechangers

Meanwhile, the appeal of NextGen District has attracted global pioneers within the circular process and manufacturing industry, who are giving ‘end-of-life products’ a second or third life there. US-based Plug, for instance, is investing in a green hydrogen plant, Bolder Industries will recycle car tyres, Ekopak is committed to circular water use and, thanks to Triple Helix, polyurethane foam and PET dishes will be recycled into new raw materials. On top of that, PureCycle last week confirmed a large-scale investment in a plant that will recycle polypropylene (PP). ​ With these gamechangers, the filling in of the first part of NextGen District is now complete and construction of the facilities will start this year.

Synergies

For the filling-in of NextGen Demo, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is looking for candidates (start-ups and scale-ups, spin-off companies and pilot projects) active in sustainable and innovative chemical and energy technology. With a specific focus on technologies within four domains: Waste-to-X (chemicals/fuels), CCU (Carbon Capture & Utilisation), bio-based technologies and renewable energy storage and H2 technologies.

The industrial port network with top global players and diverse ecosystem will contribute to synergies between the players at NextGen Demo, NextGen District and the other port companies. In addition, the top logistics location, available peripheral infrastructure, tailor-made guidance in growing to a commercial level and possibility of financial support are additional reasons for candidates to come forward. Moreover, the concept and offer were further refined and tailored to the specific needs of the demonstrators based on responses to the first candidate call at the end of 2021.

Application procedure

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is therefore launching a second call for circular pioneers to submit their project proposals via the website by 31 March 2023 at the latest. The call applies both to applicants who can start a demonstration immediately, and to applicants who need limited preparation before proceeding to the demonstration phase. After evaluation of the written project proposals and an oral explanation by the candidates, negotiations, and decision to award a concession or a preparation phase will follow, followed by the signing of the concession agreement or Letter of Intent. ​

For more info on the exact scope, conditions, and technical specifications: NextGen Demo | Port of Antwerp-Bruges (portofantwerpbruges.com)

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “NextGen Demo is the place par excellence where new technology is incorporated into the fascinating ecosystem of a port and industry. Demonstrators are given the space here to grow and join a valuable network of fellow pioneers, partners, and customers. ​ We have refined our offering so that we are more ready than ever to welcome pioneers who are up to the challenge. We therefore look forward to innovative project proposals that contribute to circularity in the port and by extension the transition to a climate-neutral society.”

Annick De Ridder, port alderman of the City of Antwerp and chairman of the board of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “This testing ground for technological and sustainable innovation will contribute to the strengthening, synergy and diversification of the port platform. Moreover, this is a top logistics location to support the transition in the Antwerp chemical cluster.

For more information visit www.newsroom.portofantwerpbruges.com

Representatives of Kinder Morgan, Inc. intend to make presentations in Houston, Texas on January 25, 2023 at the Kinder Morgan 2023 Investor Day regarding the company’s strategy and long-term outlook, the results for fiscal year 2022 and the financial budget for 2023.

Interested parties will be able to view the materials to be presented at the event by visiting KMI’s website at: https://ir.kindermorgan.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. The presentations will also be accessible by audio webcast (both live and on-demand) on KMI’s website at the same web address. Live presentations are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT, and an archived webcast will remain available for at least 90 days on KMI’s website at the above address.

For more information visit www.kindermorgan.com

Neptune Energy today announced drilling has begun at its operated Adorf Z18 gas production well in the municipality of Georgsdorf, northwestern Germany.

The well is being drilled by KCA Deutag, with final depth of around 4,700 metres expected to be reached in June this year.

Neptune Energy’s managing director in Germany, Andreas Scheck, said: “The Adorf Carboniferous field development is one of our most promising activities in Germany and demonstrates our desire to grow the business here.

“The Adorf field is already an important contributor to domestic energy supplies in Germany, providing enough gas to heat more than 100,000 households.”

The Adorf Carboniferous gas field was discovered in 2020 and the first well – Adorf Z15 – was brought into production in October the same year. A second well – Adorf Z16 – increased Neptune’s production from the licence to around 4,000 boepd at the beginning of 2022. The third well – Adorf Z17 – reached its final depth at the end of 2022 and will be tested for production this quarter.

The construction of a modern treatment plant for the natural gas from Adorf Z17 and Z18 is ongoing.

Neptune Energy owns 100 percent of the Adorf Carboniferous gas field.

For more information visit www.neptuneenergy.com

Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS), a subsidiary of Razon-led Prime Infra, has completed its acquisition of Cebu-based ARN Central Waste Management, Inc. (ACI).

The acquisition was sealed during a ceremonial signing of the share purchase agreement on January 20, Friday, at the Prime Infra office in Pasay City.

Present during the signing were Prime Infra chief financial officer Jesus Bernardo Palma III and Market Sector Lead for Waste Carla Angelica Peralta, PWS President Alexander Tantoco, WasteFuel Philippines Technical Advisor Paul Puthenpurekal, and ACI Chairman of the Board and CEO Arnold Espinoza, chief operating officer and executive director Sherwin Santos, directors Gerald Anthony Gullas, George Tsai, Sansaluna Pinagayao, general manager Kevin Matthew Siao, and corporate secretary Elias Espinoza.

ACI is the first waste management business that Prime Infra is developing and upgrading to bring it at par with world-class Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in other developed countries like Singapore. It currently receives around 1,000 tons of Cebu province’s municipal solid waste daily.

“We are excited about this acquisition which marks Prime Infra’s entry into the waste business. Prime infra established PWS as a response to the market demand for modern waste recovery facilities to accommodate the rapid year on year increase in solid waste output. Through PWS, we plan to deliver world-class waste management services that will create a positive impact on both the environment and the surrounding communities,” said Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci.

PWS also targets to develop two more MRFs in Luzon within the next two years.

“The transaction is also part of Prime Infra’s overall strategy to establish an integrated waste management and sustainable fuels solution that will help tackle the solid waste problem in the Philippines,” added Lucci.

PWS and WasteFuel Philippines, another Prime Infra subsidiary, make up the company’s waste business. The WasteFuel business aims to convert organic waste and agricultural feedstock into green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel. It plans to put up its first biorefinery in Cebu City.

For more information visit www.primeinfra.ph/

The Tank Storage Association (TSA) is delighted to announce that four media partners have come on board in support of the 2023 Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition.

Fuel Oil News, HCB, Storage Terminals Magazine, and Tank Storage Magazine have all pledged their support for the UK’s leading event for the bulk storage and energy infrastructure sector which will return to the Coventry Building Society Arena on 21st September 2023.

Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association, said: “We are proud to announce this year’s official media partners for the Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition and are grateful for their continued support. The event has a proven track record of successfully bringing together people who care about safe and effective bulk liquid storage operations. The contribution and support of our official partners will undoubtedly make our 2023 event a very special one.”

For more information about the Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition, please visit www.tankstorage.org.uk/conference-exhibition/. To know more about booking a stand space, please visit www.tankstorage.org.uk/conference-exhibition/stand-booking/

For more information visit www.tankstorage.org.uk

The merger sees Pipeline Technique, CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Pipeline Induction Heat and Global Project Services unite under the CRC Evans banner, accelerating the company’s ambition to be the world’s leading provider of welding and coating services for the energy and wider infrastructure sectors, including emerging energies, as the global transition gathers pace. The new CRC Evans (CRCE) business brings together more than 1000 employees across five continents.

Founded in 1933, CRC Evans has a strong heritage of onshore and offshore oil and gas pipeline construction, manufacturing and technology development and a name that has earned the trust of customers around the world. The CRCE acronym connects past and future into a dynamic and modern identity that will allow the group to expand its core delivery of welding and coating services across four key sectors: oil and gas, renewable energies, infrastructure and nuclear.

Fréderic Castrec, CEO of CRC Evans said “The increased scale and capability of our business will help us to grow across geographies and bring our expertise and technologies to markets such as the renewables sector where the application of our knowledge is helping to solve the infrastructure challenges facing floating wind, hydrogen, carbon capture and nuclear.

“The energy and infrastructure industries are evolving, and we are evolving with them. The creation of CRC Evans helps to position our growing suite of services more accurately, indicating our evolution within these sectors.

“We need to be agile and responsive to the challenges our customers face, and we are determined to help each of them keep moving forward in their respective markets.” Ben MacKay, COO of CRC Evans, said “Bringing our businesses together as one organisation reinforces our position at the head of the global welding and coating services markets across the global energy and wider infrastructure sectors.

“The knowledge, experience and shared specialisms that exist within our team will enable us to provide a robust service offering and our expanded footprint means that we can deliver more efficiently for our customers around the world.”

For more information visit https://www.crcevans.com/

This year marks a milestone for WSI, a partnership that began in 1978 between Phil Hulsizer and Frank Novak to address the rising demand for safety and quality critical repairs for pressure-retaining infrastructure.

Engaging incredible talent, innovations in technology, and industry education, WSI grew to be the world leader in pressure equipment life extension.

WSI began in Norcross, Georgia, servicing boiling water nuclear reactors. The first of many patents, a positioning apparatus for machine welding cylindrically, made machine welding possible for the first structural weld overlays to be performed in the early 1980s and propelled WSI into research areas such as structural, weld, and material engineering. Forty-five years later, WSI now serves a broad cross-section of industries, including power generations, mining, refining and chemical processing globally, with locations throughout Canada, the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Exemplifying innovation leadership, WSI’s industry experience, global presence, and best-in-class execution have been the key to delivering improved plant reliability safely and effectively to energy producers globally. “Throughout 45 years, WSI’s brand has become synonymous with innovation and technology solving industry and client schedule, safety, and quality challenges. Our team’s passion, entrepreneurial spirit, and tenacity will further propel WSI Globally through the next 45 years.” Bill Ruta, vice president WSI Global. Join us in celebrating WSI’s 45th anniversary and commemorating it as we move forward into many more years of Innovation.

For more information visit www.availinfra.com

The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the bp-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project has started its journey towards the project site off the coasts of Mauritania and Senegal.

The FPSO set sail on 20 January 2023 from Qidong, China after successfully completing a series of sea trials following construction over the past three and half years. It will now travel 12,000 nautical miles via Singapore to its final destination – around 40km offshore on the maritime border of the neighbouring countries.

The FPSO is a key part of the major integrated GTA development that also includes subsea development of gas fields and near-shore floating LNG (FLNG) facilities. The project’s first phase is set to produce around 2.3 million tonnes of LNG per year.“This is a fantastic milestone for this important project, which is a great example of bp’s resilient hydrocarbon strategy in action.”

Gordon Birrell, bp’s executive vice president of production and operations

Rahman Rahmanov, bp’s vice president projects for Mauritania & Senegal said: “We are developing one of the world’s most unique and innovative gas projects and the FPSO forms one of the most important components. Achieving the successful sail away of the GTA Phase 1 FPSO is a testimony to the tremendous partnership with our contractors Cosco Shipping and Technip Energies. By working together as one team, we have been able to create a culture of resilience and focus on safe delivery. We have relentlessly focused on safety, quality, and delivery.”

The FPSO will process natural gas – removing condensate, water, and other impurities – before exporting it by pipeline to the project’s FLNG facilities, 10km offshore. With eight processing and production modules, the FPSO will process around 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

The majority of the gas will be liquefied by the FLNG facilities, enabling export to international markets, while some is allocated to help meet growing demand in the two host countries. Condensate will be periodically transferred from the FPSO to shuttle tankers for export to market.

The FPSO, which will sit in about 120m of water, will have up to 140 people on board during normal operation and serve as home for the project’s production team. With an area equivalent to two football fields and 10-storeys in height, the FPSO is made of more than 81,000 tonnes of steel, 37,000m of pipe spools and 1.52 million meters of cable. It has also undergone more than 330,00 inspections.

Gordon Birrell, bp’s executive vice president of production and operations, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for this important project, which is a great example of bp’s resilient hydrocarbon strategy in action. The team has delivered this in a challenging environment, including through COVID, always keeping safe operations at the heart of what they do. With the continued support of our partners, Societé Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures in Mauritania, Petrosen in Senegal and Kosmos Energy, we remain committed to helping both countries to develop their world-class resources in a sustainable way.”

GTA Phase 1 marks the beginning of a project that is expected to have a lasting and positive impact for generations to come.

bp and the governments of Mauritania & Senegal already have a long-standing and wide-ranging cooperation encompassing the GTA project and other potential energy developments. In October 2022, bp announced the signature of an Exploration and Production Sharing Contract for the BirAllah gas resource in Mauritania.  Most recently, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Mauritania to deliver a programme exploring the potential for large-scale production of green hydrogen in the country. In addition, bp continues to work with partners on the development of a major gas to power project in Senegal – Yakaar Teranga.

For more information visit www.bp.com

Neste has completed the grant agreement process with CINEA (Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency of the European Commission) and the European Commission for 135 million euro funding to Neste’s chemical recycling project PULSE (“Pretreatment and Upgrading of Liquefied waste plastic to Scale up circular Economy”), following the earlier positive EU Innovation Fund grant decision in July 2022. The PULSE project aims to implement Neste’s proprietary technologies to pretreat and upgrade liquefied waste plastic and gradually integrate these technologies into the company’s refinery operations in Porvoo, Finland.

PULSE targets pretreatment and upgrading capacities of 400,000 tonnes of liquefied waste plastic per year, contributing to Neste’s goal of processing over 1 million tonnes of waste plastic per year from 2030 onwards. The project plays an important role in commercialising chemical recycling of waste plastic as it allows scaling up chemical recycling and bridging the quality gap between unprocessed liquefied waste plastic and the petrochemical industry’s raw material requirements. The project will also contribute to the transformation of carbon-intensive industries in Europe as targeted by the European Green Deal.

“PULSE is a major step in the advancement of chemical recycling technologies,” says Mercedes Alonso, executive vice president Renewable Polymers and Chemicals at Neste. “The Innovation Fund support will serve as a catalyst for the large scale up of chemical recycling, which enables a broader range of waste plastics to be recycled. At the same time, it highlights the importance of our work towards achieving higher recycling rates.”

“Project PULSE is an important part of the planned transitioning of our Porvoo refinery into a globally leading renewable and circular solutions site and ending crude oil refining, as outlined in the strategic study Neste announced in September 2022 on Porvoo refinery transformation,” added Markku Korvenranta, executive vice president Oil Products at Neste. “We are grateful to the EU Innovation Fund for recognising the important role refineries will play in the circular economy for plastics.”

For more information visit www.neste.com

ENGIE and Arkema have signed a long-term agreement starting on 1st January 2023, for the supply of 300 GWh/year of renewable biomethane in France. This represents one of the largest private biomethane deal in Europe to date.

Through its business entity ENGIE Global Energy Management & Sales and this 10-year partnership, ENGIE will provide Arkema with 3TWh of biomethane to support the Group in its decarbonisation journey and further reduce very significantly the carbon footprint of its bio-based high performance Rilsan^® polyamide 11 and Pebax^® Rnew^® elastomers. This agreement will also support the acceleration of the biomethane sector in which ENGIE is already a major player in France.

Biomethane is produced through fermentation of organic matter and therefore is a renewable alternative to natural gas with a lower carbon footprint. The feedstock for biomethane in France is particularly respectful of the environment with more than 95 percent coming from the fermentation of agricultural residues and organic waste and with no competition with food.

“We are very excited to announce this milestone contract with ENGIE, which will enable us to lower the carbon footprint of our bio-based high performance materials even further, in line with our customers’ expectations. The transition towards sustainable materials is accelerating and Arkema is more than ever a partner of choice thanks to its broad range of bio-based and recycled materials” said Erwoan Pezron, senior vice-president of Arkema’s High Performance Polymers Business Line.

“We are delighted to accompany Arkema -a historical client of ENGIE- in their sustainable transition journey with such a large green energy supply agreement. At ENGIE, we believe that biomethane will play an essential role in the European energy mix and will be a key vector for decarbonising the energy usages of our clients. This landmark deal definitely represents a major boost in the energy-intensive chemical industry and establishes further ENGIE as a reference biomethane player in Europe.” explains Paulo Almirante, ENGIE Senior EVP in charge of Renewables, Energy Management and Nuclear Activities.

For more information visit www.gems.engie.com/

The official starting signal for the construction of the new jetty for liquefied gases in Stade was given today with the first ramming. Lower Saxony’s Economics Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) and Environment Minister Christian Meyer (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen), numerous guests, companies and media representatives attended the ceremony in Stade-Bützfleth, hosted by Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts). The port company is responsible for planning and implementation of the jetty.

By the end of 2023, the new jetty will be ready for “Transgas Force”, one of the five FSRUs (Floating Storage and Regasification Units) chartered by the federal government. This “floating” LNG terminal has a regasification capacity up to 7,5 bcm/a. From the beginning of 2027, it is planned to replace it with the land-based zero-emission terminal, which will secure Germany’s supply of LNG and green gases (bio-LNG, SNG) and at the same time prepare for the market ramp-up of hydrogen.

Earlier this week, the Lüneburg Trade Inspectorate, which is responsible for the immission control permit, already approved the early start of initial ground preparation work for the onshore terminal as well, allowing work to begin on preparing the site for the terminal and connecting pipelines.

“NPorts is developing the energy port in Stade at the new speed of Germany. Clear timings, closely coordinated processes and NPorts’ vast experience ensure planning security and speed for all parties involved,” says Johann Killinger, managing director and co-partner at the Hanseatic Energy Hub. “With the integration of an FSRU, Stade is not only making an important contribution to energy security in Germany in the short term: the onshore terminal, port, industrial park and connection infrastructure are designed in such a way that the conversion to hydrogen-based energy carriers can take place in a modular way. This makes us flexible for the future in the truest sense of the word.”

For more information visit www.hanseatic-energy-hub.de/en/

NextDecade Corporation has announced the execution of a 15-year sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Itochu Corporation for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG export project in Brownsville, Texas.

Under the SPA, ITOCHU will purchase 1.0 million tonnes per annum of LNG indexed to Henry Hub on a free-on-board basis.

“We are honoured to have Itochu Corporation as our first Japanese customer,” said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We look forward to providing Itochu and their customers with LNG, and we are actively working to reduce the carbon footprint of the Rio Grande LNG facility through our proposed carbon capture and storage project.”

NextDecade is currently targeting a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) on the first three trains of the RGLNG export project during the first quarter of 2023, with FIDs of its remaining trains to follow thereafter.

For more information visit www.investors.next-decade.com

USD Clean Fuels LLC announced its intention to build a new biofuels terminal in National City, CA that will have the capability to transload renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The terminal will be served by the BNSF Railway and will provide efficient transportation of clean fuels to the area from the Midwest and US Gulf Coast. Pending receipt of all local and state permits, the terminal is expected to be operational by early 2024.

The terminal development is supported by two investment-grade rated parties that signed long-term Terminal Service Agreements. The Terminal Services Agreements provide for the inbound shipment of renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol and SAF on rail, self-switching of the rail rack and four truck loading spots that are equipped with in-line injection capabilities to provide quality finished products to customers.

“We are excited to announce this terminal development for USDCF. It is the second terminal of a growing network of clean fuels terminals that we anticipate will ultimately include California, Oregon, Washington, Canada and the Texas Gulf Coast based on strong customer and railroad interest. These terminals will provide needed infrastructure that will make the downstream logistics of biofuel production and feedstocks more efficient,” said Bob Copher, senior vice president of USD Clean Fuels.

With mounting political and public pressure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce and re-use waste streams, and cut greenhouse gas emissions, clean fuels are becoming popular alternatives that comply with California’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state by 2030. In addition to supporting climate change mitigation efforts through the increased distribution of cleaner, renewable energy, the National City terminal will serve several underserved areas in San Diego County using local and regional employees and resources.

As previously announced, USD Clean Fuels LLC is an entity formed by USD Group LLC to focus on providing production and logistics solutions to the growing market for clean energy transportation fuels.

For more information visit www.usdg.com

Masdar, one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, has signed joint development agreements with the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), for onshore wind and solar projects, and integrated offshore wind and green hydrogen projects, with a total combined capacity of 4 gigawatts (GW).

The agreements were signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, and Rovshan Najaf, president of SOCAR, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar. HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 president-designate, and chairman of Masdar, and HE Mikayil Jabbarov, minister of economy for Azerbaijan, witnessed the signing.

HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 president-designate, and chairman of Masdar, said, “These agreements will serve to strengthen the already powerful relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and are a testament to our shared commitment to diversifying our energy mix and developing low- and zero-carbon solutions. As global leaders gather here in the UAE for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, we are demonstrating the power of partnership and cooperation in advancing the inclusive energy transition and I look forward to seeing more announcements being made at ADSW. ”

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said, “Masdar sees Azerbaijan as a key strategic partner, one we are proud to support in its clean energy journey. This signing marks a milestone on the development and delivery of a significant collaboration that will advance Azerbaijan’s renewable energy goals and support its ongoing sustainable economic development.”

In June last year, Masdar signed implementation agreements with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy to develop a renewable energy programme on a bilateral basis, with a total capacity of 10 GW across multiple technologies, one of the largest such signings in Azerbaijan’s history. The joint development agreements set out the collaboration and partnership principles between the parties for the development of the first phase of the programme, with a total capacity of 4 GW.

SOCAR is an integrated national oil and gas company supporting the energy security of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is pursuing a national target of producing 30 percent of its domestic power needs from renewable energy sources by 2030, as the Central Asian nation looks to diversify its economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Masdar is also developing the 230-megawatt Garadagh Solar PV Plant in Azerbaijan. The plant will help to generate half a billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of more than 110,000 homes and will reduce emissions by more than 200,000 tonnes a year, while also creating valuable jobs.

Masdar recently announced a new shareholding structure and additional focus on green hydrogen, making it one of the largest clean energy companies of its kind. With a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030, the new Masdar is a clean energy powerhouse that will spearhead the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and drive the global energy transition.

For more information visit www.news.masdar.ae

HES International is pleased to announce that as of 1 January 2023 Jeroen van der Neut has been appointed as managing director of the new Dry Bulk division of the HES International Group. Since 2020, Jeroen van der Neut has been the managing director of HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam. In this new structure, he will be responsible for all dry bulk terminals in the HES International Group which are located in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France and the UK.

Jeroen van der Neut joined HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam (former OBA) as interim managing director as from May 2020 and permanently assumed the managing director position as from 1 January 2022. During his presence HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam has redefined its strategic focus, which aims to strengthen its Agri & Minerals activities as well as to develop logistic services solutions in support of bulk production processes at the terminal. As part of that strategy, HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam acquired IGMA in 2021 and a term sheet was signed in September 2022 for the intended relocation of fertiliser producer ICL to the HES Amsterdam Bulk Terminal for the construction of a brand new and modern plant.

HES International Group has a strong ambition to further diversify the business portfolio by seizing opportunities from the ongoing energy transition and wants to further strengthen the existing market position in agri, minerals, iron ore and liquids. This will come with a strong focus on proactively generating new, more sustainable business and at the same time delivering on continuous HSSE, operational and commercial improvements. Through the Dry Bulk division a strong commercial focus will be created where available market capacity is used as optimally as possible.

Jeroen van der Neut will be at the helm of the Dry Bulk division of the HES International Group and his team will furthermore consist of Koert Kroon as finance director and Perry Thijssen as HR manager. In close cooperation with the local Management Teams of the terminals they will be responsible for the further expansion and transformation of the Dry Bulk division.

For more information visit www.hesinternational.eu/en/

SEFE Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) signed an agreement with Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH) for regasification capacity in Stade, as an important building block in SEFE’s mission to ensure the security of gas supply in Germany and Europe. Starting in 2027, the company plans to import at least 4 bcm/a of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via the zero-emission terminal.

The capacities were booked for 20 years and with future flexibility to switch to ammonia as a hydrogen-based energy source. This option is open to all Hanseatic Energy Hub customers with a long-term contract of more than 10 years. The capacities allow for the supply of German customers with gas from different geographical regions.

Dr. Egbert Laege, managing director of SEFE, said: “LNG is a backbone of our supply portfolio and the agreement with HEH is of strategic importance to the SEFE Group. The capacities will advance us on our mission of ensuring the security of gas supply in Germany and Europe and drive the green energy transformation.”

“We are delighted that SEFE is backing Stade. With the Hanseatic Energy Hub, we are building an import terminal that will secure Germany’s supply of LNG and at the same time prepare for the market ramp-up of hydrogen. We are technically and commercially flexible for the future,” says Johann Killinger, managing director and co-shareholder of the Hanseatic Energy Hub.

For more information visit www.hanseatic-energy-hub.de/en/

ABB is investing in Danish start-up OKTO GRID to advance the development of technology that will digitalize and extend the useful life of ageing electrical assets in order to meet the growing demand for reliable and stable power.

OKTO GRID has developed a pilot solution that digitalises electrical infrastructure to enable real-time, remote condition and performance monitoring to prolong their working life by another 40 years. Optimising safety and efficiency of older equipment will enhance reliable and stable power supplies and reduce the equipment’s total carbon emissions. As part of the collaboration, ABB will provide their electrification, digitalisation and industry knowledge to enhance the development of OKTO GRID’s solution and accelerate technology and commercial readiness.

“The world is becoming increasingly electrified which requires an upgrade of our existing electricity infrastructure. OKTO GRID is on a mission to digitalize transformers to handle new energy sources and rising energy consumption,” says Golam Sadeghnia, CEO of OKTO GRID. “Our solution, which works independently of transformer type, make, and age of the transformer, is mounted without downtime or any tooling required. To the best of our knowledge, we are unique in the market with this combination. Partnering with ABB will be key to accelerating market adoption, given ABB’s global footprint, technology leadership and domain expertise.”

“I am confident that ABB’s investment in OKTO GRID, when combined with our technology and in-depth industry insights, will help industry leapfrog the much-needed upgrade to aging electrical grids to meet the demands for higher power performance, reliability and availability,” says Stuart Thompson, Electrification Service Division President, ABB. “This partnership with OKTO GRID exemplifies our approach to collaborating with innovative start-ups who have the shared goal of developing technology that drives smart, safe and sustainable outcomes for our customers.”

Managed through ABB’s venture capital unit, ABB Technology Ventures (ATV), the minority investment in OKTO GRID is the company’s 11th venture capital investment of 2022. Since its formation in 2009, ATV has invested around $300 million in start-ups that are synergetic with its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio.

For more information visit www.global.abb/group/en

As part of the strategic alliance with Tenaris, Alleima will be the supplier of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) tubes with Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRA) material in a new long-term frame agreement between Tenaris and Petrobras. The agreement includes the three- year supply for offshore Brazil, where pipes will be used in the customer’s various exploration and production (E&P) wells in the pre- salt fields.

The frame agreement entails the provision of pipes produced by Alleima with CRA materials and finished with TenarisHydril Blue^® premium connections and Dopeless^® technology. The products will be manufactured by Alleima in Sandviken, Sweden, and threaded at Tenaris’s threading facility in Aberdeen, Scotland. The frame agreement for the three-year supply of plain end tubes from Alleima has an estimated value of up to SEK 1.3 billion, with the first order expected during first half of 2023.

Alleima and Tenaris have a strategic partnership since 2003, to add value to the oil and gas industry through joint research, product development, and the manufacture of specialised tubular solutions for demanding applications.

“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and to secure a long-term supply arrangement towards Petrobras, through our partnership with Tenaris. Our OCTG tubes fit perfectly for this project, with its high mechanical strength and excellent corrosion resistance”, says Nigel Haworth, president of business unit energy.

“This contract confirms our ability to supply a full range of tubular solutions for our customers operating in the most complex environments. Through strategic alliances such as the one with Alleima, along with our Rig Direct^® service model and the unmatched capacity of our global supply chain, Tenaris has become the most comprehensive supplier of solutions for complex offshore operations, not only in Brazil, but worldwide,” says Renato Catallini, Tenaris president in Brazil.

For more information visit www.alleima.com/en/

Hydromea is leading the development of the global underwater wireless optical communication standard for bandwidths up to 10Mbps within the Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG), of which Hydromea has been a member since 2019.

The Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG) is an international industry network of manufacturers and users of subsea wireless communication equipment (radio frequency, acoustic, free-space optic, inductive power, hybrid) and it promotes their interoperability (https://subseawirelessgroup.com/).

Hydromea is an emerging leader in the field of wireless optical communication systems that can send data through water at speeds of up to 10Mbps using dispersed LED light. This assures wide-angle communication coverage as opposed to laser systems that require fine alignment. Hydromea’s technology enables wireless, high-speed, low-latency communication between two or more communication nodes at depths down to 6’000 meters. Currently, there is no industry standard, which makes the deployment of such systems less attractive for the end users.

Felix Schill, co-founder and CTO of Hydromea, said: “We are very proud that our work on underwater wireless technology earned us a prominent place within the Subsea Wireless Group and that the industry players have entrusted us with leading the development of the standard.”

Equinor, Chevron and TotalEnergies became members of SWiG to drive interoperability of underwater wireless technologies in the energy sector. They welcome initiatives that take a lead on development of industry standards. This will positively affect the adoption of underwater wireless technology by the industry.

Shreekant Mehta, SWiG project manager, added: “Hydromea have been a key party in the development of SWiG standards. In co-operation with an operator, they are drafting an open standard that will facilitate interoperable 1-10mbps FSO (free-space optical) communications for the industry. This standard will be donated to SWiG for review and will significantly accelerate the SWiG timeline. End users will be able to deploy high speed FSO technology that adheres to a SWiG standard.  Standardisation initiatives require collaboration and cooperation between vendor competitors. We are lucky in SWiG to have a high level of cooperation between vendors. Hydromea are a great example of this collaborative spirit.”

Founded in 2014, Hydromea is a Swiss-based autonomous underwater robotics company delivering solutions that allow customers to have unparalleled access to subsea data and underwater assets.  Ultra-fast and high-volume, real-time data transfer brings a paradigm shift in our quest to explore the ocean and understand its impact on the subsea economy. Visit https://hydromea.com for more information.

Established in 2011, The Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG) is an international industry network promoting interoperability for subsea wireless communications (radio frequency, acoustic, free-space optic, inductive power, hybrid).

Visit www.subseawirelessgroup.com/ for more information.

For more information visit www.hydromea.com/

BASF’s Monomers division has announced an ambitious sustainability roadmap: It will expand its portfolio of products with a lower CO2 footprint and is committed to providing a circular option in every major product line by 2025. At the same time, the division will continue to prioritise technical optimisation measures to cut CO2 emissions from operations.

“As a commodity business at the heart of chemical production, we have the potential to significantly drive the sustainable transformation of both BASF and the various customer industries we serve,” said Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, president, Monomers division at BASF. The Monomers division supplies key industries from food packaging, textiles, automotive or construction to wood binders and many others with base chemicals. The new divisional sustainability roadmap is an essential part of BASF’s journey towards climate neutrality and net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

“We understand sustainability as the decisive factor for future business success and are committed to providing our customers with the right solutions to help them reach their individual sustainability goals,” said Dhruva.

Net zero greenhouse gas emission targets demand a new level of carbon transparency. The product carbon footprint (PCF) is therefore becoming a differentiating factor, even for commoditised products. BASF’s Monomers division is pioneering a certified low-PCF option in all of its product lines by applying the company’s mass balance approach. Examples are Lupranat® ZERO, an MDI made from biobased raw materials that has a PCF of zero, and Ultramid® Ccycled™, an innovative material for the textile industry for which chemically recycled feedstock from end-of-life tires is used in production and attributed via a certified mass balance approach. The division has major sites and more than 200 products already RedCert2 or ISCC+ certified today. It aims to have additional sites certified in all regions by the end of 2023 and will continue to expand its portfolio of certified mass balanced products for its customers worldwide.

More information on sustainable offers from BASF’s Monomers division is available at www.chemicals.basf.com/global/en/Monomers.html.

For more information visit www.basf.com/gb/en.html

Gasunie is to become partner in H2CAST, the hydrogen storage pilot project in the Etzel caverns in the German state of Lower Saxony. This was announced today by STORAG ETZEL and Gasunie. For Gasunie, this participation is a first step towards developing hydrogen storage facilities in Germany.

With H2CAST, which stands for H2 CAvern Storage Transition, STORAG ETZEL and Gasunie, together with project partners, aim to enable large-scale hydrogen storage in the salt caverns near Etzel, Germany.

The first step involves a pilot project in which two of the existing salt caverns will be made suitable for hydrogen storage and connected by an above-ground installation. Within the pilot project, Gasunie will be responsible for the above ground facility to connect the two hydrogen caverns. The pilot project is expected to be ready in 2026.

The location of the storage caverns in Etzel is strategically located with a perfect connection to the Dutch and German hydrogen market, near the future Gasunie hydrogen network Hyperlink and the Energy-Hub Port of Wilhelmshaven.

Han Fennema, CEO Gasunie: ‘Hydrogen is going to play an important role in the future energy system, especially for making industry more sustainable. For a well-functioning hydrogen market, large-scale hydrogen storage is a crucial component. Gasunie has the ambition to develop salt caverns for hydrogen storage in both the Netherlands and Germany.’

STORAG ETZEL is delighted that Gasunie has chosen to join the H2CAST project in Etzel which already started early 2022. Boris Richter, Managing Director of STORAG ETZEL: “The industrial scalability of the underground storage is unique for the H2CAST pilot. Gasunie will optimally strengthen the project consortium, which is of strategic importance for the Etzel site. The pilot project is a starting point for a future value chain to enable the ramp-up of the international hydrogen market.”

H2CAST Etzel is co-funded by the state of Lower Saxony and the Federal Government of Germany.

STORAG ETZEL and Gasunie are working together in this pilot project with the partners, DEEP.KBB, DLR, HARTMANN Valves, SOCON and TU Clausthal.

For more information visit www.h2cast.com

The environmental technology company TECAM will be participating at StocExpo 2023 as an exhibitor in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 14-16 March 2023. TECAM will be showcasing its environmental technology for vent gas treatment, vapour recovery as well as for waste-to-fuel solutions for the tank storage industry in Europe.

Tecam is the expert technology partner for the elimination of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), NOx, SOx, methane, as well as odours generated during loading and unloading of hydrocarbons at tank farms.

Tecam also offers vapour recovery units for hydrocarbon recovery at tank farms, offering product recovery, which implies an economical advantage.

The company also offers liquid and solid waste treatment through pyrolysis for biofuel production.

Tecam offers turn-key technology solutions, managing the whole project from the phases of design, assembly, installation, commissioning and maintenance service of the equipment, which is designed custom-made to meet 100 percent customers’ specific requirements.

Tecam has vast and proven experience in the chemical, oil & gas and petrochemical sectors and is helping the tank storage sector with emissions elimination and vapour recovery. Each industry has its own specific technical requirements, and Tecam has the experience and the know-how to offer the most suitable solution to each case.

Come & visit us at stand D18. As an expert partner of emissions elimination technology, vapour recovery, and waste-to-fuel technologies, Tecam will put its expertise at the service of visitors attending StocExpo 2023, to help the tank storage industry solve their needs regarding emissions generated during their loading and unloading of hydrocarbons, and thus contributing to protecting people and the environment.

For further information visit: www.tecamgroup.com

Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. announces that Tecnimont S.p.A. received a Letter of Award from ADNOC for the early engineering and procurement works (“Pre-Construction Services Agreement-PCSA”) related to the onshore facilities of the Hail & Ghasha Development Project, as member of a Joint Venture composed of Tecnimont, Technip Energies and Samsung Engineering.

The overall contract value to the Joint Venture for the early engineering and procurement works on the onshore facilities is approximately USD 80 million. The PCSA scope of work also includes the preparation of an Open Book Estimate for the full project delivery scope, which will be considered as part of the Client’s Final Investment Decision.

The awards come as ADNOC accelerates gas expansion, as part of its low carbon growth strategy to continue responsibly meeting global energy needs. ADNOC is committed to unlocking the UAE’s abundant natural gas reserves to enable domestic gas self-sufficiency, industrial growth and diversification, as well as to meet growing global gas demand.

Alessandro Bernini, Maire Tecnimont Group CEO, commented: “We are honoured to keep on supporting ADNOC in accelerating its gas growth plans, where Maire Tecnimont has been involved in its energy transformation industry since the late 90s, with the first polyolefin complex (Borouge 1) completed in 2001. This award confirms Maire Tecnimont’s commitment to creating value in the UAE thanks to its technology-driven unparalleled skills and distinctive competences.”

Maire Tecnimont S.p.A.

Maire Tecnimont S.p.A., a company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, heads an international industrial group that is a leader in the transformation of natural resources (plant engineering in downstream oil & gas, with technological and execution competences). Through its subsidiary NextChem, it operates in the field of green chemistry and the technologies to support the energy transition. Maire Tecnimont Group operates in about 45 countries, through approximately 50 operative companies and about 9,300 people. For more information: www.mairetecnimont.com.

For more information visit www.mairetecnimont.com

Under the leadership of Gasgrid Finland’s professionals, the LNG floating terminal in the deep harbour at Inkoo, Finland is now fully ready for use and gas deliveries can begin. The floating terminal project successfully implemented by Gasgrid Finland will secure the supply of gas to industry, energy production and households as well as safeguard Finland’s security of supply and the continuation of gas supplies far into the future. The LNG floating terminal vessel Exemplar reached Inkoo on 28 December last year and has now been successfully integrated into Gasgrid Finland’s gas transmission network.

“We have now got our LNG floating terminal fully up and running and all the required official permits to start commercial operations are in place. Everything has now been finalised and tested.

This means that the customers of our terminal can begin to distribute gas to meet the needs of industry, energy production and households not just in Finland but also in the Baltic states,” says Esa Hallivuori, senior vice president, Transmission Business at Gasgrid Finland.

”Our LNG floating terminal has already generated plenty of interest and enquiries from various parties. We believe that there is a real need for the energy provided by our terminal both now and going forward. The LNG floating terminal can provide a huge amount of energy also for heat and power production when needed,” Hallivuori adds.

The LNG floating terminal vessel is 291 m long and when fully laden holds around 68,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which corresponds to around 1,050 GWh of energy. The LNG is regasified on board the vessel, after which the natural gas is transferred via a loading arm to a 2.2-km connecting pipeline and then on to end customers through Gasgrid Finland’s gas network. The vessel has an annual regasification capacity of 40 TWh, which far exceeds Finland’s annual need for natural gas. The LNG terminal also enables gas deliveries to the Baltic states and even to Poland through the Balticconnector pipeline.

”Connecting the LNG floating terminal to the port structures and gas network built by Gasgrid Finland went like clockwork thanks to experienced professionals. The LNG floating terminal project is an excellent example of how seamless teamwork between different parties works at its best. Now that our LNG floating terminal is ready to come on stream, it will also improve the security of supply for Finnish society,” says Hallivuori.

Liquefied natural gas will be supplied to the LNG terminal from the international market. No Russian gas is used at the terminal and the LNG terminal will help Finland to permanently phase out its dependency on Russian gas. The LNG floating terminal is operated by Gasgrid Finland’s subsidiary Gasgrid Floating LNG Terminal Finland.

In fall 2022, Gasgrid Finland sent an inquiry to various operators about whether they would be interested in booking capacity from the commissioning cargo, a batch of approximately 1TWh LNG. The LNG procured for commissioning and testing has been used for cooling and technical testing as part of the commissioning process of the LNG floating terminal in Inkoo. During the commissioning period lasting until January 25, 2023, gas will be delivered to shippers who have made a reservation for this lot, as well as to secure Finland’s security of supply.

For more information visit www.gasgrid.fi

Masdar, one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, Port of Amsterdam, Evos, Zenith Energy Terminals and SkyNRG have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam to support Dutch and European markets.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, managing director of Port of Amsterdam International, Bart van der Meer, business development manager Evos, Ellen Ruhotas, managing director New Energies for Zenith Energy Terminals and Maarten van Dijk, chief development officer of SkyNRG. The agreement was signed in the presence of HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.

HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “This agreement builds upon the existing relationship between the UAE and the Netherlands and demonstrates our mutual commitment to exploring low- and zero-carbon energy solutions. The UAE aims to play a central role in the emerging green hydrogen economy and this partnership with the Port of Amsterdam and associated players in the green hydrogen space would help position Abu Dhabi as a key hub for green hydrogen development.”

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands, said, “The Netherlands is keen on developing green hydrogen corridors with major future exporting countries like the UAE. Our country is well positioned to become a hydrogen hub for the Northwestern European market. I welcome the collaboration between Dutch and UAE businesses in the field of hydrogen and look forward to further intensify the cooperation between our two countries.”

Under this MoU, the parties will join their efforts to develop a green hydrogen supply chain, focusing on production in Abu Dhabi and export to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam. The exported green hydrogen will be delivered to key European sectors – sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), steelmaking, and bunkering for shipping – and will also be supplied to new, emerging European offtakers, via pipeline, truck and barge. Together, the parties will explore several hydrogen transportation methods, with a focus on liquid organic hydrogen carriers and liquid hydrogen.

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said, “Masdar believes green hydrogen to be a promising energy source for hard-to-abate sectors in support of global decarbonisation, which is why we launched our dedicated green hydrogen business last month. We are pleased to partner with Port of Amsterdam, Evos, Zenith Energy Terminals and SkyNRG to leverage our synergies in the fuel and logistics sectors to see how green hydrogen can help us achieve our shared goals for decarbonization and sustainable economic growth.”

Port of Amsterdam, the operator of Europe’s fourth-largest port, is committed to scaling up green hydrogen capabilities and is working closely with commercial parties active in its port on green hydrogen development. SkyNRG, a global leader in SAF, is developing a network of SAF production facilities that require green hydrogen as input. Zenith Energy Terminals and Evos Amsterdam are the operators of some of the most prominent blending and storage terminals in the port, with Zenith developing a liquid hydrogen supply chain, while Evos Amsterdam is working on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier supply chain.

Koen Overtoom, CEO, Port of Amsterdam, said, “We are very pleased with this new collaboration. Evos, Zenith Energy Terminals and SkyNRG are driving forces behind the hydrogen developments in the port of Amsterdam and they are key in our goal of importing at least one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Joining forces with a party as renowned as Masdar, will bring this goal that much closer to realisation. Together, we can bring the envisioned Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam connection to fruition.”

Green hydrogen is produced with green electricity from renewables like wind or solar, in a process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen via electrolysis. The International Renewable Energy Agency has stated that hydrogen will be an essential component of a net-zero energy system and has a key role to play in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and long-haul transport. The global green hydrogen market is projected to reach US$72 billion by 2030, while PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), has estimated that by 2050, hydrogen demand could be between 150 to 500 million metric tonnes per year.

Last December, Masdar announced its new shareholding structure and green hydrogen business unit, with a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030. Masdar is actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production. Last year, Masdar signed agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organisations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the country, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

For more information visit www.evos.eu

Advario is pleased to announce Joke Nijhoff has joined Advario as chief people officer, starting on February 1st.

With impressive accolades throughout her career, Joke brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Advario leadership team.

As a long-time employee of FrieslandCampina, which has distribution facilities and commercial branches in 32 countries, Joke was ultimately responsible for the people function of a business sector with over 3500 employees and annual revenues exceeding 3 billion euros.

Furthermore, she led the global supply chain capability and organisational review for 15,000 employees.

Her next position was chief human resources director for Rabobank’s Retail Banking sector in the Netherlands, before ultimately deciding to join Advario.

Known as a down-to-earth leader, Joke is passionate about the people discipline in organisations, believing in the power of highly engaged employees.

Please join Advario in welcoming Joke Nijhoff to the Advario family!

For more information visit www.advario.com

With immediate effect, SPG Steiner GmbH expands its strategic cooperation agreement with Evonik. The specialty chemicals Evonik and the technology group SPG Steiner are successfully cooperating together focusing on the defossilization and plant efficiency of energy industries through Evonik’s gas separation technologies.

“The cooperation with SPG Steiner underlines our strategic approach to shape the transformation of today’s energy sector towards greater efficiency and lower emissions by using our advanced membrane technologies for efficient gas separation. This can only be achieved through strong commitment and engagement with partners along the entire value chain,” says Dr. Goetz Baumgarten, vice president membranes at Evonik.

“The ongoing global challenges of climate change, raw material scarcity, energy supply, nutrition and healthcare cannot be met without efficient separation technology. Membranes have by far the greatest potential in this regard. SPG Steiner GmbH is proud to renew and cooperate with Evonik, leading the defossilisation of the industry creating tomorrows energy – Next Energy”, says Philippe Steiner, managing director at SPG Steiner.

The PURAMEM^® VOC membrane by Evonik presents a new polymer-based membrane technology for efficient separation of long-chain hydrocarbons from natural gas or nitrogen mixtures.

The technology features a consistently high selectivity over a long period of time under demanding operating conditions and has been optimized for special applications, such as in natural gas processing, emission control in tank farms or in the chemical and process industry.

The modularised process packages of SPG and Evonik feature a small foot print, reduced OPEX and maintenance costs. The design is easily scalable and can be adjusted to any capacity unlike conventional technical approaches.

Advanced technology made in Europe.

Strong partnership SPG Steiner & EVONIK

Evonik is a global membrane technology leader for the gas industry. By offering its innovative gas separation and ion-conducting membranes, the specialty chemicals company makes the transition of today’s conventional energy supply to a sustainable gas economy of tomorrow possible. SEPURAN^® membranes make it possible to separate gases such as methane (CH4), nitrogen (N2), or hydrogen (H2) from gas mixtures. PURAMEM^® membranes separate long-chain hydrocarbons from natural gas or nitrogen mixture. With DURAION^®, Evonik enables affordable, electrolytic production of green hydrogen. The advantages of Evonik’s innovative membrane technology are more precise separation and higher productivity. It requires comparatively less energy and does not need any auxiliary materials or chemicals. No waste or wastewater is produced that would otherwise require treatment or disposal.

SPG Steiner GmbH is a family-owned general contractor (EPC Contractor), for the energy, petroleum and petrochemical industries. Our activities include engineering, procurement, project and construction management. In particular, SPG deals with cryogenic gas storage, gas processing plants and combustion technology, flare systems, thermal oxidisers, industrial burner systems.

With about 150 specialists incl. process, mechanical, structural, piping, instrumentation, electrical design SPG is active worldwide and provides full integrated solutions. Our headquarters are in Siegen with offices in Frankfurt, Abu Dhabi, Doha (Qatar), Shanghai (China) and Singapore.

With SKO Steiner GmbH SPG is operating own fabrication facility in Siegen, Germany with a key focus on SPG their property equipments and high alloy steel fabrication.

For more information visit www.spg-steiner.com/en

Olli Roininen, Outokumpu’s head of consumer goods, explains how our new product-specific carbon footprint for stainless steel products will help the world’s leading appliance manufacturers meet their targets for carbon neutrality and emissions reductions.

In November 2022, we started shipping our stainless steel to customers with a certificate that shows the carbon footprint of the specific products that they have bought. This approach is the culmination of several years’ effort and provides buyers with accurate data that integrates the impact of the alloying components, production route and processing steps required to make the product. This means that manufacturers can have more confidence in precisely calculating the carbon footprint of their washing machines, dishwashers, driers, and other devices.

Appliance manufacturers will typically also find that buying our material will significantly reduce their carbon footprint. That is because stainless steel grades used in appliances have relatively low alloy content, giving these products a significantly lower carbon footprint than our average carbon footprint of 1.8 kg of CO2 per kg of steel. This is well below the European average for stainless steel of 2.8 kg of CO2 per kg.

Until now, appliance manufacturers have focused their sustainability marketing around using recycled materials. This is fairly straightforward for consumers to understand. They are now preparing to shift their messaging up a notch as recycling is only part of the sustainability story, although it influences the overall carbon footprint of a product.

We have made significant investments over the years to minimize the carbon footprint of our products. Our stainless steel is based on more than 90 percent recycled content. This cuts carbon footprint as it takes less energy to recycle existing material than process fresh virgin ores. In addition, we have deployed energy-efficient technology and use electric arc furnaces that are powered from zero-carbon Nordic electricity sources.

Translating carbon footprint into market advantage

Our new product-specific carbon footprint data will support OEMs with accurate data calculated using a methodology that has been verified by engineering consultancy WSP. It covers products from our European mills and takes account of CO2 emissions under Scopes 1-3 of the ISO 14040 standard for life cycle assessment.

This data is based on a rolling average of energy used at our mills. It is measured with sophisticated monitoring and measurement at our plants and integrates emissions from energy consumed in production processing steps, as well as embodied CO2 from the alloys we use.

Today’s leading appliance OEMs are working on the development of products with low carbon footprint. This will require accurate and reliable data to integrate into their overall carbon footprint calculations.

They will also need to compare raw materials and semi-finished products on a like-for-like basis to choose the ones that provide a sustainability advantage. A challenge here is that there are variations in the way different suppliers calculate the carbon footprint data for similar products. That is because suppliers may interpret the ISO 14040 life cycle assessment standard in different ways.

Before they can compare carbon footprint data, appliance manufacturers should ask in-depth questions about how suppliers have applied the standard’s product category rules (PCR) under the standard. Different assumptions can make a big difference to the final calculation. This can skew the results, making one product appear better than the other at first glance, when the detail may tell a different story.

There’s even a trend for appliance OEMs and their consultants to undertake their own number crunching by applying the PCRs consistently to get a consistent view of carbon footprint across the supply chain. However, in a world where sustainability is becoming a more important differentiator, it provides confidence in the data that is needed to underpin marketing campaigns.

Although today’s consumers are focused on cost due to current economic conditions, they always remember which OEMs are leading the way with new developments. This includes appliances with new features, as well as transparency over carbon footprint.

The next opportunity for appliance OEMs

The product-specific carbon footprint is the latest development in stainless steel sustainability but we are planning further progress in the future.

One of these is our Circle Green product line. Its carbon footprint is 92 percent lower than the industry average, the lowest ever achieved for stainless steel. This is thanks to our effort to minimise emissions throughout our supply chain and production. We delivered our first Circle Green stainless steel in June 2022 for Fiskars Group to manufacture cookware at its Sorsakoski factory in Finland.

As we develop the Circle Green product line for more customers and applications, we see it having huge potential to help appliance OEMs develop products with a sustainability advantage over the competition. This will become more important as the conversation around sustainability is shifting from recycling towards carbon footprint measurement.

For more information visit www.outokumpu.com