IPL and Fortescue drive green ammonia plan

Incitec Pivot and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) will run a feasibility study into industrial-scale production of green ammonia at IPL’s Gibson Island plant, Brisbane. The announcement comes hot on the heels of news that FFI plans to invest “up to or in excess of $1 billion” in a Global Green Energy Manufacturing Centre (GEM) in Gladstone. The Gibson Island study will look into converting the ammonia production facility to run on green, renewable hydrogen rather than natural gas. It will investigate building a new water electrolysis facility on the site to produce around 50,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, which would then be converted into green ammonia for Australian and export markets. It is further proof that momentum is building in Queensland's quest to become a renewable hydrogen superpower, according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. “Yesterday we announced we’re building the world’s largest electrolyser manufacturing plant in Central Queensland which is crucial for making hydrogen,” she said. “Today Fortescue Future Industries and Incitec Pivot have committed to a joint feasibility study into conducting a green hydrogen and green ammonia production and export facility right here at Gibson Island. “Queensland has an exciting future as a global powerhouse for the production of renewable hydrogen and renewables products and I want to thank Incitec Pivot and FFI for committing to this study." Potential future as a green ammonia powerhouse Incitec Pivot managing director and chief executive officer Jeanne Johns said the study was a crucial step in contributing to Australia and Queensland’s potential as a green ammonia powerhouse. “We’re excited to partner with FFI, who are committed to producing zero-emission hydrogen from 100 per cent renewable sources," she said. “The combination of FFI’s drive to develop a globally competitive green hydrogen industry, and our leadership and technical skills in ammonia production, will play an important role in developing Australia’s capability in this growing international market.” The Gibson Island plant currently produces more than 300,000 tonnes of ammonia each year. Ms Johns said the partnership was considered one of Australia’s best near-term opportunities to produce green ammonia at an industrial scale. "By investigating the re-purposing of Gibson Island, we can make use of the existing manufacturing plant infrastructure, our established production capabilities and our highly skilled workforce. “If feasible, this project would sustain highly skilled manufacturing jobs at Gibson Island and allow us to leverage our existing capabilities and assets to create a thriving renewable hydrogen ecosystem in Queensland,” Ms Johns said. Preliminary results from the feasibility study are expected to be available at the end of the year.

IPL and Fortescue drive green ammonia plan

Industry Queensland

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