Parties to evaluate renewable ammonia opportunities to strengthen the resilience of ammonia supply
Covestro, Fertiglobe and MB Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration across the ammonia value chain in Germany and Europe. The MoU was signed during the recent visit to Germany of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
The collaboration brings together Fertiglobe’s global ammonia production and supply capabilities, MB Energy’s energy infrastructure and logistics expertise, and Covestro’s position as a major industrial consumer of ammonia in Germany.
Under the MoU, Fertiglobe, an ADNOC Company and the world’s largest seaborne exporter of urea and ammonia, will explore the potential supply of ammonia through an import terminal proposed to be built and operated by MB Energy, an independent and integrated energy company, at Blumensand in Hamburg. As part of the collaboration, Fertiglobe will also explore potential equity investment in the Hamburg terminal.
Potential offtake
Germany’s Covestro, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials, will evaluate the potential offtake of ammonia delivered through the terminal for use as feedstock in its production and/or to meet hydrogen supply requirements.
By developing an additional route for ammonia imports into Germany, the collaboration has the potential to diversify supply options and strengthen the resilience of supply chains serving European industry. The parties will also explore opportunities to serve other industrial customers across Europe.
The parties will jointly assess the commercial, technical and logistical requirements for the potential supply of ammonia via Hamburg, including terminal capacity, volumes, delivery arrangements and onward transportation to industrial customers. They will also evaluate enabling infrastructure and logistics, including pipelines, barges and rail transportation.
Collaboration
The collaboration will consider conventional, lower-carbon and renewable ammonia, including the carbon intensity of potential supply and alignment with applicable regulatory and certification frameworks, such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and relevant low-carbon and renewable hydrogen requirements.
“Together with Covestro and MB Energy, we see an opportunity to support the development of a reliable and competitive ammonia supply chain through Hamburg, in line with our Grow 2030 focus on customer proximity and disciplined growth in lower-carbon ammonia,” noted Ahmed El-Hoshy, Chief Executive Officer, Fertiglobe.
Additional supply route
“Together with Fertiglobe and MB Energy, we are exploring an additional supply route that could support our path toward climate neutrality while strengthening supply resilience in Germany and Europe,” observed Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO, Covestro.
“This MoU brings together complementary capabilities across supply, logistics and demand to explore a credible ammonia value chain through Hamburg,” commented Jonathan Perkins, CEO, MB Energy.
