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Lot 1: Renewable ammonia

This lot covers the purchase side (HPA) of renewable ammonia in the €900m pilot tender.

Ammonia (NH3) is a globally traded commodity, which is usually transported by ship, train or truck. It is mainly used in the production of fertilizers and in the chemical industry. Today, ammonia is produced almost exclusively in the Haber-Bosch process where hydrogen is mixed with nitrogen and together processed at high temperature and pressure with a catalyst. The most common current process for producing hydrogen is unabated steam methane reforming (SMR), using natural gas or coal.

Renewable ammonia can be produced using the traditional Haber-Bosch process, but with the distinction that the fossil-fuel based hydrogen is replaced with renewable hydrogen. This form of ammonia can be used to replace fossil ammonia in its traditional uses, such as fertilizer production, and can also be used to produce sulphur- and carbon-free fuel for shipping. Renewable ammonia can also be a transport vector for renewable hydrogen, benefiting from the existing - albeit limited - infrastructure.

€300 million were offered by Hintco to purchase renewable ammonia in its pilot tender launched in 2022. Over 1,000 interested parties in 65 countries across five continents downloaded the tender documents on Hintco’s auction platform. Twenty-two companies submitted non-binding bids, five entered negotiations, and one company was the winning bidder.

Coming soon.

Product specifications for ammonia

Ammonia:
min. 99.5% (mass)
Water:
max. 0.5% (mass)
Oxygen:
max. 10 ppm
Aggregate State:
liquid
Temperature at Point of Delivery:
refrigerated, max. minus 33°C

Additional product specifications

In addition to the above-mentioned technical specifications, the product must comply withadditionalproduct specifications pertaining to the renewable and emissions savings characteristics of the product. They are based on the RED II and the Delegated Acts (2023/1184 and 2023/1185) and fulfil the requirements resulting from the grant decision and additional instructions given by the provider of funds, BMWK.

They include the following criteria:

  • All hydrogen atoms must be derived from water electrolysis
  • The electricity used in the production process must derive from renewable sources
  • The GHG emissions savings (including transportation) must beat least 73 per cent in comparison to the fossil fuel comparator as set out in the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 at 94 gCO2eq/MJ

Environmental and social sustainability

Find out here about the range of tools we use in our pilot tender to ensure that climate protection goes hand in hand with environmental and social sustainability.

Frequently asked questions