thyssenkrupp to continue decarbonisation push at Puertollano

50 MW plant to join operational 20 MW capacity

thyssenkrupp Uhde will lead concept development of a 50 MW electrolysis facility adjacent to Fertiberia’s Puertollano ammonia and fertiliser manufacturing plant. Similar to an existing 20 MW electrolysis plant developed by Nel and Iberdrola, the new facility will run on renewable energy, and produce electrolytic hydrogen that will displace current fossil-based feedstock for Fertiberia. In total (and when fully operational), the two electrolysis plants will decarbonise 40% of Puertollano’s site emissions. At this early stage, no decisions about technology suppliers have been made.

We are the first company in the agri-food sector that is committed to being carbon neutral within the next decade. This project is another step forward towards our goal to become one of the world leaders in the manufacture of low-carbon ammonia.

David Herrero, Industrial Director at Fertiberia in thyssenkrupp Uhde’s official press release, 28 May 2024

We are very proud to have been selected once again by our long-standing customer Fertiberia to further decarbonize its production. By gradually replacing fossil-based ammonia production with green ammonia production, we have a huge lever for the green transformation of agriculture and entire industry sectors.

Nadja Håkansson, CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde in her organisation’s official press release, 28 May 2024

The original Puertollano plant was actually licensed and built by thyssenkrupp Uhde in 1969, using naphtha as a feedstock for hydrogen production and heat. In the 1980s thyssenkrupp assisted Fertiberia with a switch to gas feedstock, and will now expand electrolysis capacity at the site. In its announcement thyssenkrupp explains that this feedstock-centric approach to decarbonisation helps minimize disruptions and maintains nameplate capacity at Puertollano, avoiding “hardware modifications” as much as possible.

More low-carbon crop nutrition deals for Fertiberia

After signing deals to provide Heineken and PepsiCo with low-carbon, ammonia-based fertilisers in late 2023, Fertiberia has signed more deals to kick-off 2024. It will supply Dutch agricultural cooperative Agrifirm with its low-carbon fertiliser products, assisting decarbonisation of farming in the Netherlands. Spain-based pasta producer Gallo Group will also take delivery and promote the use of these fertiliser products. In Sweden, Fertiberia will partner with Lantmännen and Nordion Energi to develop a fossil-free fertiliser factory in Sweden, based on electrolytic hydrogen. The Power2Earth factory will produce over one million tons of fertiliser per year at full capacity, with production to begin in 2028.

Fertiberia brings its industrial experience of more than five decades in the production, operation and logistics of ammonia, as well as its leadership in driving green hydrogen to decarbonise the agriculture sector with state-of-the-art fertilisers. We are also proud to contribute to the achievement of Sweden’s ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets while providing regional growth and building a more resilient food supply with reduced dependence on imports.

Javier Goñi, CEO of Fertiberia in his organisation’s official press release, 19 Feb 2024