The first independent certificate of certification for the production of blue hydrogen and ammonia was given to the Saudi oil exporting company Aramco and the fertilizer manufacturer SABIC Agri-Nutrients (SABIC AN).
German independent testing, inspection, and certification organization TÜV Rheinland issued the certification.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, the largest petrochemicals corporation in the Middle East, owns SABIC AN (SABIC).
The fertilizer manufacturer received a distinction for its production of 37,800 tonnes of blue ammonia, while Jubail-based SASREF, an Aramco refinery that is fully owned by the company, received recognition for its production of 8,075 tonnes of blue hydrogen.
According to the statement, a substantial portion of the manufacturing-related carbon dioxide must be caught and used in downstream applications in order for ammonia and hydrogen to be certified as “blue.”
According to SABIC’s vice president for energy efficiency and carbon management, Fahad Al-Sherehy, the production of blue hydrogen and ammonia will assist in achieving Saudi Arabia’s goal of net zero by 2060 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.
In light of the increased need for hydrogen, manufacturing is consistent with both businesses’ efforts to reduce emissions in order to battle global warming.
Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, chief executive officer of SABIC AN, said, “We are fully aware that the current global industry challenges related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions will require us to accelerate our pace of innovation to further strengthen our sustainability commitment.” He added that they are “well positioned to move forward in this direction.”
According to Olivier Thorel, vice president of chemicals at Aramco, these approvals constituted a “significant milestone” in the development of sustainable energy solutions. Through manufacturing, Aramco and Sabic AN intend to decarbonize their operations.
“This independent acknowledgment strengthens the work of Aramco and SABIC in decarbonizing several sectors, including the energy, aviation, transportation chemicals, and fertilizer industries,” Thorel continued.
2020 will see the first shipment of blue ammonia from Saudi Arabia to Japan, which was organized by Aramco and SABIC.
According to the statement, about 40 tons of high-grade blue ammonia were supplied for use in the production of low-carbon electricity. The announcement from Saudi Aramco also stated that the company plans to create up to 11 million tonnes of blue ammonia annually by 2030 and that it is “actively building carbon capture and hydrogen capabilities.”
