Idemitsu joins Proman and Mitsubishi for clean ammonia project in Louisiana

Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan has agreed with its compatriot Mitsubishi Corporation and Switzerland-based Proman to participate in the development of the proposed clean ammonia production project in Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.

The project targets to produce approximately 1.2 million tons of ultra-low carbon clean ammonia per year by FY2030 and is under the front-end engineering design (FEED) process.

According to Idemitsu, it will adopt the SynCOR of Topsoe and the Advanced KM CDR Process developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), in collaboration with Kansai Electric Power.

Ammonia produced at the facility will be primarily exported to Japan as a clean fuel to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, in line with Japan’s national strategy to grow domestic ammonia consumption to help achieve its decarbonization goals.

Idemitsu revealed it aims to establish an ammonia import terminal utilizing the existing infrastructure at the Tokuyama plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, adding that Mitsubishi aims to turn its part of the LPG terminal located in Namikata-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, into an ammonia terminal as well. Both parties intend to supply clean ammonia produced by the Louisiana project to Japan through these terminals.

“As ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion and can be transported and stored by existing facilities, it is expected to contribute positively to the low-carbon and decarbonization targets of customers in various industries,” Idemitsu said, noting that the three parties will continue to study the feasibility of establishing a robust, large-scale clean ammonia supply chain.