Idemitsu, Mitsubishi Corp, Proman collaborate on US ammonia project

Idemitsu Kosan, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), and Switzerland-based Proman on February 27 announced a collaborative venture to participate in the development of a clean ammonia production project in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The project aims to produce approximately 1.2mn tonnes/year of ultra-low carbon clean ammonia by the fiscal year 2030. The proposed project will leverage technologies developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in collaboration with Kansai Electric Power.

Idemitsu Kosan envisions establishing an ammonia import terminal utilising the existing infrastructure at the Tokuyama plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company aims to supply over 1mn tonnes/year of clean ammonia by 2030 to various industrial companies, particularly those in the chemicals and steel sectors.

Mitsubishi Corporation, on the other hand, plans to convert its portion of the LPG terminal in Namikata-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, into an ammonia terminal. The clean ammonia produced by the project will be supplied for various industrial applications, mainly in the Shikoku and Chugoku regions.

Ammonia's environmental advantages, including zero carbon dioxide emissions during combustion and compatibility with existing facilities for transportation and storage, make it a promising solution in meeting low-carbon and decarbonisation targets, the companies said.