Ammonia
Overview
The ammonia market is undergoing a period of rapid and dramatic change. Conventional or ‘grey’ ammonia is traditionally produced almost exclusively for its nitrogen content. However, the urgent need to decarbonise the global economy and meet ambitious zero-carbon goals has opened up exciting new opportunities.
Ammonia has the potential to be the most cost-effective and practical ‘zero-carbon’ energy carrier in the form of hydrogen to the energy and fuels sectors. This has led to rapid growth of interest in clean ammonia and a flurry of new ‘green’ and ‘blue’ ammonia projects.
Argus has many decades of experience covering the ammonia market. We incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in energy, marine fuels, the transition to net zero and hydrogen to provide existing market participants and new entrants with the full market narrative.
Our industry-leading price assessments, powerful data, vital analysis and robust outlooks will support you through:
- Ammonia price assessments (daily and weekly), some of which are basis for Argus ammonia futures contracts, Ammonia forward curve data and clean ammonia cost assessments and modelled weekly prices
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of conventional and clean ammonia prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest ammonia news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global ammonia industry.
European firms get ‘Moroccan Offer’ for green NH3
European firms get ‘Moroccan Offer’ for green NH3
London, 29 October (Argus) — A group of three European companies has been selected for the first land allocation under the "Moroccan Offer" and intends to produce 200,000 t/yr of renewable ammonia for the European market in a first stage. France's TE H2, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and renewables developer Eren, has joined forces with Danish firms Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and A P Moller to develop the so-called Chbika project in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region on Morocco's Atlantic coast. They are planning to use 1GW of combined solar photovoltaic and wind power in the first phase for electrolysis of desalinated seawater to make hydrogen that will then be converted into ammonia. Production of 200,000 t/yr of ammonia could require some 35,000 t/yr of hydrogen. CIP and TE H2 will oversee development of power generation assets, hydrogen and ammonia plants, and A P Moller will develop a port in the area and associated logistics infrastructure. "This project will constitute the first phase of a development program aimed at creating a world-scale green hydrogen production hub," CIP said, suggesting that the companies could scale up operations at a later stage. The partners have signed a "preliminary contract for land reservation" with the government, CIP said, adding that this is "the first green hydrogen project" selected under the framework of the Moroccan Offer through which Rabat seeks to allocate land rights to project developers and to offer streamlined permitting procedures. The companies have not outlined a timeline for their project, but under the Moroccan Offer's framework they would have around two years to complete front-end engineering design (FEED) studies, before then signing a long-term land agreement. Through this first phase of the Moroccan Offer, Rabat is planning to make 300,000 hectares (ha) of government land available to 10-30 projects. As of early this month, the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen), which is leading the process, had received some 40 applications for review. Masen was initially due to announce the first selections by the end of the third quarter. TotalEnergies previously already announced plans for renewable hydrogen production in Morocco, but it was not immediately clear if this joint project with CIP and A P Moller is related to these earlier ventures. Many large renewable hydrogen and ammonia projects are planned across Morocco as developers are hoping to capitalise on favourable renewable power conditions, but all are still in early planning stages. By Pamela Machado Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
IRM, Atlas reach green nitrogen offtake agreement
IRM, Atlas reach green nitrogen offtake agreement
Houston, 23 October (Argus) — Green nitrogen fertilizer startup Atlas Agro secured an offtake agreement from its plant in Richland, Washington, with major fertilizer distributor International Raw Materials (IRM) IRM will distribute green nitrogen fertilizer from the Pacific Green Fertilizer (PGF) plant in Richland to farmers across the Pacific Northwest. Which nitrogen products and the volumes agreed to were not specified by Atlas, but the company will produce several fertilizer products with its green ammonia, including calcium ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate. The Richland plant finished its front-end engineering design (FEED) and is expected to complete its final investment decision in early 2025. PGF is anticipated to produce 700,000 tons of green nitrogen fertilizer for farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Distributing green nitrogen fertilizer aligns with IRM's "agricultural sustainability" plan, and increasing demand from consumers to reduce Scope 3 emissions across the food supply chain, said IRM president Tip O'Neill. PGF is also involved with the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub program which is funded by the US Department of Energy. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia’s Origin to exit Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub
Australia’s Origin to exit Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub
Sydney, 3 October (Argus) — Australian utility and upstream firm Origin Energy has decided not to proceed with its planned hydrogen development project, the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub (HVHH), in Australia's New South Wales. The decision to withdraw from the proposed 55MW HVHH and halt all hydrogen opportunities was made because of continuing uncertainty about the pace and timing of hydrogen market development, Origin said. The firm said the capital-intensive project, intended to progressively replace gas as a feedstock in a nearby ammonia manufacturing plant, carried substantial risks. Origin Energy had an initial agreement with Australian chemicals and explosives company Orica to take 80pc of the green hydrogen produced from the hub for Orica's 360,000 t/yr ammonia facility on Kooragang Island, near the city of Newcastle. Origin Energy and Orica in 2022 said they will study plans to develop the HHVH in Hunter Valley region of NSW, which is Australia's largest thermal coal-producing area. "It has become clear that the hydrogen market is developing more slowly than anticipated, and there remain risks and both input cost and technology advancements to overcome. The combination of these factors mean we are unable to see a current pathway to take a final investment decision on the project," said chief executive Frank Calabria on 3 October. Origin had planned to make a final investment decision on the project by late 2024. The hub, which was estimated to cost A$207.6mn ($143mn), had been allocated A$115mn in state and federal funding and was shortlisted for production credits under Canberra's Hydrogen Headstart programme. In July, Origin described the pace of development in the hydrogen industry as "slower than it had anticipated 12 months ago", said. The company expressed hopes that improved electrolysis efficiency would reduce the rising costs of production. The decision is a significant setback for Australia's green hydrogen ambitions, following the July decision by Australian miner and energy company Fortescue to postpone its target of 15mn t/yr green hydrogen output by 2030. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Amogy sails clean ammonia-run boat in US
Amogy sails clean ammonia-run boat in US
Singapore, 26 September (Argus) — US-based fuel cell developer Amogy has successfully sailed a carbon-free, clean ammonia-powered tugboat on an inland waterway in upstate New York, Hudson River on 23 September, the firm said. Amogy retrofitted a diesel generator and electric motor tugboat from 1957 with its clean power generation technology. The NH3 Kraken vessel had been designed to accommodate a 1MW ammonia-to-power system, but further testing will be required to determine the exact power output. Norwegian fertiliser producer Yara supplied the green ammonia feedstock for the demonstration. Amogy's ammonia-to-electrical power technology involves feeding liquefied ammonia through a modular cracking unit that converts the ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is then funnelled into a fuel cell to generate electricity, with zero carbon emissions. This technology offers a sustainable and clean energy situation for hard-to-abate sectors like maritime shipping and stationary power generation applications. The modular technology is also scalable and can be ramped up according to vessel size or customised to fit specific power requirements. Safety measures, including sensors that are approved by various classification systems, will be included, along with proper training on usage. The demonstration with the NH3 Kraken tugboat is the largest application of Amogy's technology to date, from previous successful demonstrations of an aerial drone, commercial farm tractor, and semi-truck. Amogy is seeking to apply knowledge from this demonstration to other applications including retrofit projects and newbuilds. "By demonstrating our technology on the water for the first time, we've gained invaluable knowledge that will help us move quickly to commercialisation and real-world applications", said CEO and co-founder of Amogy, Seonghoon Woo. Amogy aims to fully implement its maritime technology on small to medium-sized vessels eventually, Argus understands. It is also exploring the possibility of using its ammonia-to-electricity system as a cleaner alternative to existing auxiliary engines in large vessels. This would help power a ship's systems and equipment with cleaner energy, alongside its main engine. By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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