Hyundai Heavy, Aramco team up for green biz based on hydrogen, ammonia

[Photo by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group]

South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco will jointly launch hydrogen and ammonia businesses that span from producing and selling blue hydrogen and ammonia as green energy sources to building related infrastructure and eco-friendly fuel carriers.

According to the Korean No. 1 shipbuilding group on Wednesday, its holding company Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. and Armaco signed a memorandum of understanding for their joint development of hydrogen and ammonia business models.

Under the MOU, Hyundai Oilbank Co., the refiner under Hyundai Heavy Industries, will import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Aramco to turn out blue hydrogen, which is hydrogen energy with reduced carbon emissions through carbon catching and storing technology in the production process. The hydrogen produced in this way is used in desulfurization facilities or sold as fuel for vehicles and power generation. In addition, carbon dioxide generated during the process will be supplied to Aramco, realizing a ‘zero carbon’ process.

Hyundai Oilbank plans to build 300 hydrogen charging stations by 2040 to sell hydrogen. Hyundai Oilbank will also receive blue ammonia from Aramco and use it as fuel for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) boiler, which is scheduled to be established by 2024.

The two entities’ cooperation will move beyond green fuel development. Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., the holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyards, will develop the world's first ship that can carry both LPG and carbon dioxide at the same time, as well as an ammonia carrier.

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