Hanyang, Air Products to co-work for green ammonia

South Korea's Hanyang Corporation announced on Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US industrial gas company Air Products and Chemicals for the joint development of a green ammonia and hydrogen infrastructure in the Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. 

Founded in 1940 in the US, Air Products specializes in industrial gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Recently, the company has expanded its business scope with new projects for the production of green ammonia and hydrogen, as well as infrastructure investments.

Under the latest agreement, both companies will collaborate on initiatives such as the development of an ammonia terminal, clean ammonia supply, and the development of ammonia cracking facilities.

Building on its experience in commercial operation and export of blue ammonia production projects in Louisiana, Air Products plans to provide clean ammonia in a timely manner. Hanyang will contribute by providing the relevant site for the project and utilizing its expertise in construction, energy, and plant operations for terminal development.

Hanyang is progressively advancing the "Eco Energy Hub," which consists of a Northeast Asia liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub terminal, a combined heat and power plant, and a hydrogen and ammonia terminal on Myodo Island in Yeosu. 

Ammonia is gaining attention as a clean fuel because it does not produce carbon dioxide during combustion, and its liquefaction point is -33 degrees Celsius, making it more manageable for transport and storage compared to hydrogen (-253 degrees Celsius).

"The Yeosu National Industrial Complex and the southern coastal area have a dense concentration of customers, making it an optimal location for the supply of clean ammonia and hydrogen," a Hanyang source said.

"Through this MOU, if we establish an infrastructure for supplying more than 1 million tons of ammonia annually for power generation and industrial use, it will play a central role in achieving regional carbon neutrality."

Write to Jin-Woo Park at jwp@hankyung.com