Casale SA, Lugano, said it will deliver the know-how and basic engineering design to convert Incitec Pivot Limited’s (IPL) ammonia plant at Gibson Island, Queensland, from natural gas to renewable hydrogen as raw material.
IPL is partnering with Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) on the project, and it is currently proposed that FFI would construct an onsite water electrolysis plant and develop and operate the hydrogen manufacturing facility, with IPL operating the ammonia manufacturing facility (GM Oct. 15, 2021; Nov. 12, 2021).
The new water electrolysis facility would produce up to 50,000 mt/y of renewable hydrogen and be a complete replacement of Gibson Island’s current natural gas feedstock. This renewable hydrogen would then be converted into more than 300,000 mt/y of green ammonia for Australian and export markets.
The project has been found to be technically feasible, and IPL and FFI are currently conducting a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study that will inform a potential Final Investment Decision.
IPL Managing Director and CEO Jeanne Johns told analysts at company earnings call on May 23 that IPL is making good progress on exploring the green ammonia opportunities, and is looking to complete the FEED by the end of the year.
The project has the potential to transition Gibson Island to a renewable future, and the plant could become Australia’s first existing facility capable of producing 100% emission-free ammonia.