Sumitomo, Colbun ink green ammonia MoU in Chile

• Chilean utility Colbun SA and also Japanese diversified group Sumitomo Corp (TYO:8053) revealed on Monday that they have developed a partnership to jointly study the expediency of green hydrogen-to-ammonia projects in Chile.

The firms signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to define the range and also objectives of the partnership with a focus on growth chances in the region of Antofagasta, north Chile, and also Magallanes down south.

In Antofagasta, both will assess the feasibility of using Colbun's Inti Pacha and other solar PV projects in the area as a resource of renewable energy for the electrolysis process.

When it comes to exporting hydrogen in the form of ammonia, both will research the usefulness of using logistics and also port facilities in the city of Mejillones. Particularly, they will consider the facilities that are run by Interacid, Sumitomo's subsidiary committed to importing sulphuric acid and fuels for the mining field.

Approximately Magallanes, Colbun as well as Sumitomo will certainly consider creating an ammonia project with a possible to produce 1 million tonnes annually. The expediency research studies there will be concentrated on port facilities, renewable resource generation and also the advancement of facilities to create hydrogen, among others, the business said.

Taizo Hayakawa, President of Sumitomo Corporation Chile, said that their projects might supply green ammonia to Chile, Japan as well as the world.

Colbun set up its green hydrogen management unit in June 2022, focusing its tasks on the domestic market as part of an offering to existing or new customers looking for decarbonisation. The firm's second objective is to help place Chile as an appropriate player in the global hydrogen sector, the utility included.