Combining a deep scientific knowledge, engineering and field experience with state-of-the art technology, Johnson Matthey is proud to introduce its next generation of digital simulation tools via its JM-LEVO™ digital portals to further support customers in achieving their operational and sustainability targets.
Advances in clean hydrogen and ammonia production is fuelling worldwide interest in a new market for hydrogen and ammonia to provide a reliable low-carbon energy future. Ammonia cracking, the dissociation of ammonia back into hydrogen, delivers a pathway to large-scale sustainable hydrogen production. In this article KBR, Johnson Matthey, thyssenkrupp Uhde, Duiker, Proton Ventures and Casale report on their technologies and approaches to ammonia cracking in a low carbon economy.
Last year, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the associated disruption to fertilizer and grain exports from both countries, there were dire predictions of the impact upon global food supply. That the worst of these predictions have not so far come to pass is in no small part due to the deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 to allow exports of grain and fertilizers from Black Sea ports. According to the UN, since last July, some 29.5 million tonnes of grain and foodstuffs have been exported from Ukraine via the Black Sea, including nearly 600,000 tonnes in World Food Programme vessels for aid operations in Afghanistan Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen. Before the war, Ukrainian grain fed the equivalent of up to 400 million people worldwide, and the deal ensured that Ukrainian grain exports ‘only’ fell by 5 million t/a over the past year.
Anglo American’s CEO Duncan Wanblad spoke in detail about the company’s new strategy for the Woodsmith mine during an annual results presentation on 23rd February. Selected highlights are provided below.
Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh is the new CEO of SABIC. He is also the current chairman of SABIC Agri-Nutrients, the company’s fertilizer division.
Single superphosphate (SSP) is relatively easy and cheap to make. Yet traditional gas scrubbers often limit production and create plant maintenance issues.Fortunately, an innovative scrubbing technology developed by Armatec Environmental can overcome many of these problems. Based on high efficiency void towers, this new approach helps SSP producers meet stringent global emissions standards, explains Armatec’s Shane Pope , while simultaneously maximising production and improving worker conditions.
The Sustainable Fertilizer Academy (SFA) offers everyone within the fertilizer industry access to education on sustainability via a certified e-learning programme. More than 150 students have registered to date and over 40 alumni have graduated from the academy since it opened in September last year.
Anglo American recently unveiled the long-awaited strategy update for its large-scale Woodsmith mine project in the UK. Initial production of the company’s POLY4 polyhalite fertilizer is now scheduled to begin in 2027. The mine’s ultimate annual output has also been increased to 13 million tonnes.
The Sulphur Institute (TSI) held its World Sulphur Symposium in Edinburgh from April 25th to 27th.
BASF is challenging traditional catalyst shapes and performance relationships by introducing a radically new shaping concept resulting in materials with step change properties and performance. This innovative concept using 3D-printing technology is applicable to a wide range of reactions in the chemical industry and BASF is using sulphuric acid catalysts as the pilot to pioneer new ground.