ADNOC, North Rhine-Westphalia to explore ammonia fuel use in German industry
By on April 04, 2023
The North Rhine-Westphalia state government, ADNOC and Currenta GmbH (the operator of Chempark, one of Europe’s largest chemical manufacturing sites) have agreed to cooperate on the production, transportation to Germany and subsequent application of low-carbon ammonia fuel. Industrial-scale testing of ammonia fuel for power generation will be undertaken at Currenta’s Dormagen site. The trio will seek to establish a low-carbon ammonia value chain between the UAE and Germany’s biggest industrial region.
Ammonia has the potential to play an important role in decarbonization – for example 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 observing very closely to see whether it succeeds in realizing this potential. An important factor here is the development of global supply chains for ammonia. We therefore welcome and support the commitment of the state of NRW to work with ADNOC to advance such value chains.
Frank Hyldmer, CEO of Currenta in ADNOC’s official press release, 27 Mar 2023
We will do our utmost to expand the capacities for the generation of renewable energies and for the production of other climate-neutral energy carriers such as green hydrogen in this country as much as possible. However, it is also clear that we will have to import various green energy sources in large quantities in order to cover our needs and to achieve our climate protection goals. We are now building partnerships and a broad import infrastructure to supply our industry.
Her Excellency, Mona Neubaur, Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and State Minister for Economics, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy in ADNOC’s official press release, 27 Mar 2023
ADNOC in Germany
This new agreement follows the delivery of thirteen tonnes of CCS-based ammonia by ADNOC from Al Ruwais, UAE to Hamburg last November. The test ammonia fuel was supplied to metals manufacturer Aurubis, who will conduct co-firing experiments with ammonia and gas feedstock in the production of copper wire. This January ADNOC and thyssenkrupp announced that they would jointly develop a large-scale ammonia cracking plant in Germany at a key import location, based on thyssenkrupp’s uhde® reformer technology. Such a move will help “unlock” low-carbon ammonia exports from the UAE to Germany.