ADNOC announced a partnership with Germany for the development of ammonia. The goal of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the state government and industry representatives in Germany is to create a low carbon ammonia value chain. Ammonia can be used as a low-carbon fuel in a wide range of industrial applications, including transportation, power generation and industries such as steel, cement and fertilizer production. The main focus of the agreement will be the production and transportation of low-carbon ammonia and its application as a fuel in power generation, including industrial-scale testing at Currenta’s site in Dormagen, Germany.
ADNOC signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Germany for the production of low carbon ammonia
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Düsseldorf, Germany, by Her Excellency Mona Neubaur, Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy, Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director, Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth Direction of ADNOC and Frank Hyldmar, CEO of Currenta. The agreement was signed following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, ADNOC and Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG (Currenta), a service provider to the chemical industry that manages and operates one of the largest chemical groups in Europe, Chempark, with sites in Leverkusen, Dormargen and Krefeld-Uerdingen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Germany is committed to the production of renewable energy and climate-neutral energy carriers
Her Excellency Mona Neubaur stated that the government of North Rhine-Westphalia would do its utmost to expand as much as possible the capacity for renewable energy generation and the production of other climate-neutral energy carriers such as green hydrogen in this country. However, it is also clear that it is imperative to import various sources of green energy in large quantities in order to cover their needs and achieve their climate protection goals. He says he now wants partnerships and an extensive import infrastructure to supply his industry. According to him, the basis of the cooperation is the diversification with many countries.
ADNOC, a key player in the energy transition to a low carbon economy with ammonia
The ammonia partnership between ADNOC and the government of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany is an example of international cooperation to address the challenges of climate change. As one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, ADNOC is committed to supporting the energy transition to a low-carbon economy. Low-carbon ammonia production is a key component of this strategy.
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, executive director of ADNOC’s Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth Directorate, said the UAE’s abundant and competitive energy resources have made their rapidly growing ammonia business possible. As a responsible global energy provider, ADNOC is committed to meeting the growing demand for low-carbon energy around the world. This is why they have decided to join forces with the government of North Rhine-Westphalia and Currenta to jointly decarbonize Germany’s vital industrial heartland.
Ammonia, an important vector for decarbonization
Frank Hyldmer, CEO of Currenta, emphasized that through this partnership between Germany and ADNOC, ammonia has the potential to play an important role in decarbonization, especially as a hydrogen carrier or as a fuel in heat generation. As a chemical park operator with large steam and heat generation plants, Currenta is watching very closely to see if it can realize this potential. An important factor here is the development of global supply chains for ammonia, so they welcome and support NRW’s commitment to work with ADNOC to advance these value chains.
In addition to this partnership with Germany, ADNOC has already invested in low-carbon ammonia production, where it captures and stores carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during production underground. In May 2021, the company announced a one-million-ton-per-year low-carbon ammonia production facility at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Ecosystem and Chemical Center in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The company has significantly expanded its strategic energy partnerships across the hydrogen value chain and has shipped demonstration cargoes of low-carbon ammonia to customers in Asia as well as Germany under the UAE-Germany Energy Security and Industrial Accelerator Agreement (ESIA).
Investment in renewable energy
In addition, ADNOC is also investing in renewable energy through Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a clean energy plant that will put the UAE at the forefront of the energy transition. Through massive investment, ADNOC is committed to becoming a major player in the decarbonization of global industry, while meeting the growing demand for low-carbon energy.
