Saudi Aramco succeeded in exporting the first certified low-emission ammonia shipment for electricity generation to Japan, in cooperation with FOC, SABIC Agro-Nutrients, MOL and GOE.
The first shipment of low-emission ammonia from Saudi Arabia supports Japan’s ambition to decarbonize sectors whose emissions have been difficult to reduce.
Aramco said in a statement today, Thursday, April 20, that the first shipment of low-emission ammonia that obtained a certificate approved by a neutral authority for use as fuel for electricity generation arrived in Japan, which is a milestone in the development of low-carbon energy solutions.
Saudi Arabia and Japan cooperation
The shipment is the result of effective cooperation between several entities in the low-emissions ammonia value chain. SABIC Agro-Nutrients Company produced ammonia using (feed) produced by Saudi Aramco, and sold it to the Japanese company Fuji Oil (FOC) through Aramco Trading Company.
Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) was responsible for transporting the liquid to Japan. Low-emission ammonia was transported to the Sodegwara refinery and is used in co-fired electricity generation, with technical support from Japan Oil Engineering Co. (JOE). .
Ammonia is classified as low emissive; The amount of carbon dioxide emitted during its production has already been captured and used in refining and processing applications.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced plans to increase the use of ammonia as a fuel for power generation and ship propulsion systems, as part of efforts to achieve the country’s carbon decarbonization goals by 2050.
The low-emissions ammonia shipment that arrived in Japan is part of efforts by Saudi Aramco and SABIC Agro-Nutrients to create a global supply network of this low-carbon fuel.
The two Saudi companies are looking to supply low-emission ammonia to meet the early demand needs of other customers, according to what the specialized energy platform has seen.
Saudi exports of ammonia
In 2020, Saudi Aramco, in cooperation with SABIC, sent the first shipment of low-emission ammonia to Japan in a pilot project.
In 2022, Saudi Aramco and SABIC obtained the world’s first neutral accreditation for low-emission hydrogen and ammonia products.
At the end of last year, the two companies had delivered the world’s first shipment of certified low-emissions ammonia to South Korea.
The recent shipment to Japan has brought low-carbon energy solutions closer to a mainstream position.
A low emissions future
“The shipment is an outstanding example that highlights the potential of Saudi Aramco’s low-emission hydrogen and ammonia feedstock, which has the potential to play an important role in a low-carbon future,” said Olivier Thorel, Aramco senior vice president of chemicals.
He noted that low-emission ammonia is not only a means of transporting low-emission hydrogen, but is an important energy resource in its own right that can help decarbonize key sectors – including electricity generation for both utilities and industries.
“By sending the shipment of certified low emission ammonia to Japan, we are helping chart a path for the development of this vital commodity,” he added.
For his part, CEO of SABIC Agro-Nutrients Company, Abdul Rahman Shams El Din, said: “Our goal is to take advantage of this important achievement to develop and expand our positive contributions to reach carbon neutrality.”
He added, “SABIC Agri-Nutrients not only announced its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, but also announced its cooperation with its customers to support them in achieving their goals in this regard.”
Customers in the energy, fertilizer and chemical sectors are looking for suppliers of low-carbon hydrogen and low-carbon ammonia.
“We can achieve their aspirations by taking advantage of the company’s longstanding strengths throughout the value chain,” he said.
Carbon neutrality
“Given Japan’s ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, low-emission ammonia is expected to be a next-generation fuel that can contribute to reducing our CO2 emissions from our business,” said President and Representative Director of FOC Corporation, Shigeto Yamamoto. .
He added, “We are working to release ammonia gas from the Sodigora refinery, and we plan to use imported low-emission ammonia as fuel this time, in cooperation with our partners.”
For his part, CEO of Aramco Trading Company, Muhammad Al-Mulhim, said: “The achievement embodies the fruit of the close cooperation between the companies within Aramco, SABIC, Aramco Trading and our Japanese partners, and really represents a major boost to our sustainability efforts.”
“The demand for ammonia as a next-generation clean energy source is expected to increase,” said Toshiaki Tanaka, executive vice president and representative director of MOL Corporation. “Japan aims to reach a carbon-neutral society by 2050.”
He added, “We are very pleased to import independently certified low-emission ammonia from Saudi Arabia.. We are working to reach a proven track record of safe and reliable services through multiple modes of transportation according to the needs of our customers, and by combining our accumulated knowledge with proactive participation in a wide range of value chains.” We aspire to contribute to a carbon-neutral society.”
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