South Korea plans to cooperate with the United States and Japan in the areas of renewable energy, electric vehicles, hydrogen, and green buildings to combat global climate change [9f033efb]. The trilateral cooperation, representing 30% of the world's economy and generating nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, aims to restrict the burning of fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions [9f033efb]. The three countries will gather in Seoul in 2024 to discuss the partnership, which was agreed upon during the U.S.-Korea-Japan trilateral summit at Camp David in August [9f033efb].
The joint development of a green ammonia and hydrogen infrastructure in Yeosu, South Korea by Hanyang Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals aligns with this international cooperation on climate change [76505376] [9f033efb]. The project aims to supply over 1 million tons of ammonia annually for power generation and industrial use, contributing to regional carbon neutrality [76505376] [9f033efb]. The agreement includes the development of an ammonia terminal, clean ammonia supply, and ammonia cracking facilities, with Air Products providing clean ammonia based on its experience in blue ammonia production projects and Hanyang contributing the relevant site and expertise in construction and energy [76505376] [9f033efb].
This collaboration highlights the growing importance of green ammonia in the transition to clean energy. Ammonia is considered a promising energy carrier and can be used as a carbon-free fuel or as a feedstock for hydrogen production [76505376]. The joint project in Yeosu, South Korea, will contribute to regional carbon neutrality goals and support the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem [76505376] [9f033efb].
Korea has been actively promoting the Carbon-Free (CF) Alliance, an environmental initiative aimed at making energy sectors carbon-free [9f033efb]. The head of the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, Kim Sang-hyup, emphasized the importance of the partnership and the shared responsibility to lead on clean energy innovation [9f033efb]. Kim also highlighted the need for reasonable and inclusive standards in terms of clean certification guidelines and membership conditions [9f033efb].
In addition to the joint project in Yeosu, South Korea, the country is involved in energy transformation in oil-rich countries in the Middle East, with bilateral deals in renewable energies and clean hydrogen [9f033efb]. Kim mentioned clean methanol as a promising energy source to drive the global carbon-free campaign, as it generates fewer carbon emissions compared to grey methanol made from fossil fuels [9f033efb]. The use of clean methanol is being adopted globally, including in the EU's new ReFuelEU Aviation policy and in vehicles in China [9f033efb].
Ryu Yang-kwon, market head of Korea at Ecolab, believes that ESG management can be durable despite economic uncertainties [aff69b4c]. Ecolab has helped its customers achieve business and environmental goals through its solution called eROI [aff69b4c]. The company has enabled a domestic steelmaker to reduce water consumption and carbon emissions, and an oil refiner to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions [aff69b4c]. Ecolab recently joined four U.S. firms in promising to invest $1.16 billion in Korea's high-tech sectors [aff69b4c]. The company plans to build a production facility in South Gyeongsang Province for high-purity nanoparticles [aff69b4c]. Ecolab's revenue has continuously enjoyed double-digit growth in Korea, surpassing the Japanese market [aff69b4c]. Ecolab Korea plans to hold a celebration event in mid-December for its 100th anniversary [aff69b4c].
JERA Co., Inc. has partnered with ExxonMobil to explore a low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia project in the US [1a7d6efe]. The project aims to start production in 2028 and JERA plans to procure 500,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia annually [1a7d6efe]. This initiative aligns with JERA's goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 [1a7d6efe]. ExxonMobil is developing the world's largest low-carbon hydrogen production plant in Texas [1a7d6efe]. Under the agreement, JERA and ExxonMobil will explore JERA's ownership participation in the project and JERA's procurement of low-carbon ammonia for demand in Japan [1a7d6efe]. The partnership aims to contribute to the transition to a global decarbonized society [1a7d6efe].
Group DF International and Hyundai Engineering Co. Limited will build a chemical industrial park in the city of Rivne, Ukraine [0b21236f]. The project includes the construction of factories to produce 'environmentally clean' ammonia, nitrogen fertilizers, and other chemical derivatives [0b21236f]. It also involves the creation of the first hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Ukraine using renewable sources of electricity [0b21236f]. The executive director of Group DF International GmbH, Robert Shetler-Jones, believes that this project can change the role of the Ukrainian chemical industry and boost the country's economy [0b21236f].
SES AI Corporation, Hyundai Motor, and Kia Corporation have signed an agreement to enter the next phase of their joint development agreement (JDA) to start developing B samples [409dd495]. Hyundai Motor and Kia will build a dedicated B-sample cell development, assembly, and testing facility in Ui-Wang, South Korea, and SES AI will build and operate one of the largest capacity Li-Metal lines in the world within this new facility [409dd495]. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the Li-Metal battery industry and represents an important milestone in achieving commercial production [409dd495]. SES AI is the first Li-Metal battery company in the world to have two B-sample development JDAs underway [409dd495]. SES AI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia teamed up in 2021 to collaborate on a range of technologies, including Li-Metal batteries for UAM as well as EV applications [409dd495].
ExxonMobil has signed a project framework deal with JERA, Japan's largest power producer, to create a low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia synthesis. The project involves the construction of a hydrogen-producing plant and a carbon capture and storage facility at ExxonMobil's Baytown site in Texas. The plants are expected to generate 900,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year and 1,000,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia. The project is set to start production in 2028, and JERA plans to invest in the project, purchasing 500,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia per year. The collaboration between ExxonMobil and JERA highlights the internationalization of the search for innovative solutions to decouple economic development from carbon emissions. The project has the potential to change the energy supply in America, diversify the energy mix, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate emissions, create new employment opportunities, and stimulate the national economy. [ab32f169]