Yara, Sumitomo Chemical clean ammonia partnership to help Japan accelerate its green energy transition

Yara, Sumitomo Chemical clean ammonia partnership to help Japan accelerate its green energy transition

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 10-Dec-2021 — /EuropaWire/ — Yara International ASA, a global firm specializing in agricultural products and environmental protection agents and a leading global ammonia player, and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, have announced a collaboration over clean ammonia supplies. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed will see potential supply of clean ammonia to Sumitomo Chemical for its use in chemical production, accelerating Japan’s green energy transition.

Under this MoU, Yara and Sumitomo Chemical will examine clean ammonia supply for:

  • Sumitomo Chemical’s use in petrochemicals, plastics production, and/or energy
  • distribution, based out of Sumitomo Chemical’s plants domestically in Japan

The collaboration with Sumitomo Chemical would accelerate Japan’s green energy transition and build upon the growing momentum associated with clean ammonia. Japan has set targets to grow the nation’s ammonia fuel demand to 3 million tonnes per year by 2030, and 30 million tonnes per year by 2050, each as part of its initiative to cut CO2 emissions and reach carbon neutrality.

Likewise, Sumitomo Chemical aims to achieve a 30% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and is also considering raising its reduction targets. This innovative partnership with Yara based around clean ammonia would contribute considerably towards realizing Sumitomo Chemical’s goal.

“Yara and Sumitomo Chemical have cultivated a strong relationship over many years to pursue this exciting prospect of working together and drive forward innovative decarbonization technology. We are impressed by Sumitomo Chemical’s desire to increase its use of clean ammonia. This next phase of enhanced collaboration will contribute to the establishment of an end-to-end competitive ammonia supply chain which will be intrinsic in decarbonizing Japanese chemical sectors.” says Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, President Yara Clean Ammonia.

Ammonia does not emit CO2 during combustion and is seen as an effective future energy source due to its properties ideally suited for the hydrogen economy. Furthermore, it does not require cooling to extreme temperatures to liquefy, and has a higher energy density than liquid hydrogen, making it more efficient to transport and store. Ammonia plays an increasingly important role in addressing climate change.

This MoU with Sumitomo Chemical is the fourth collaboration on clean ammonia that Yara has announced this year with key Japanese partners, including JERA, Kyushu Electric Power and Idemitsu Kosan.

The term “clean ammonia” comprises both “blue ammonia” and “green ammonia.” “Blue ammonia” is derived from a carbon capture and storage process, while “green ammonia” is produced carbon-free by using hydrogen sourced from renewable energy as feedstock.


About Sumitomo Chemical

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of petrochemicals, energy and functional materials, IT-related chemicals and materials, health and crop science products, and pharmaceuticals. The company’s consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2020 were JPY 2.2 trillion and number of employees is about 34,743 as of March 31, 2021. For additional information, visit the company’s website at https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/.

About Yara

Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara’s ambition is focused on growing a climate positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain.

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming, and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry’s only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2020, Yara reported revenues of USD 11.6 billion.
www.yara.com
www.yara.com/cleanammonia

Media contacts:

Kristin Nordal
Vice President Corporate Communications
+47 90 01 55 50
kristin.nordal@yara.com

Josiane Kremer
Director External Communications
+47 48 18 04 51
josiane.kremer@yara.com

SOURCE: Yara International ASA

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