Sasol partners with Japan's Itochu for green hydrogen projects

Sasol

02/09/2022 12:54

Sept 2 (Reuters) - South African petrochemical firm Sasol
 SOLJ.J  on Friday said it was partnering with Japan's Itochu
Corp  8001.T  to explore the development of green hydrogen and
green ammonia projects for shipping fuel and power generation.
    Sasol is currently the world's biggest producer of fuel
products and chemicals from coal, but is transitioning away from
the fossil fuel as part of its decarbonisation plan.
    Green hydrogen, produced from splitting water into hydrogen
and oxygen using renewable energy sources such as solar and
wind, has been touted as a key carbon-free energy source for
power generation, shipping fuel and fertilizer manufacturing. 
    Sasol said green ammonia, produced from green hydrogen, is
also a key enabler of net-zero fertilizer manufacturing, and can
be used as a zero-carbon bunkering fuel in the marine sector and
for co-firing in thermal power generation.
    "Green ammonia is an excellent energy carrier, especially
over long-distances, and can be easily transported," it added.
"The product can also be 'cracked' back to hydrogen gas for
further applications."
    The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding during
the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD
8) held in Tunisia on Aug. 27 and 28, Sasol said in a statement.
    "This marks yet another milestone in our ambition to lead
the energy transition in South Africa through decarbonisation,
while stimulating industrial development," said Priscillah
Mabelane, Sasol's executive vice president for energy.
    Japanese conglomerate Itochu has been exploring the
development of green hydrogen as a fuel in the marine sector and
for power generation, Sasol said.

 (Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Jan Harvey)
 ((Nelson.Banya@thomsonreuters.com;))