SK Materials (CEO Lee Yong-wook), a materials technology specialist, is taking a leading role in the domestic green energy market by mass producing blue ammonia using next-generation carbon capture technology.

On the 21st, SK Materials signed a key terms agreement (HoA) with ExxonMobil at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, which outlines a project to mass-produce blue ammonia using next-generation carbon capture technology and to introduce the blue ammonia produced through this into Korea.

Blue ammonia is produced using blue hydrogen, which has had its CO2 removed, as a raw material. Therefore, when combusted, it emits only a minimal amount of carbon. Co-firing with coal has the advantage of reducing carbon emissions by the same amount as the amount of blue ammonia used. Co-firing is a method of generating power by mixing two or more types of fuel.

ExxonMobil plans to build a facility to produce blue ammonia in Baytown, Texas. SK Materials plans to support the transition to clean energy in the domestic coal-fired power generation market by introducing blue ammonia and supplying it as a power generation fuel when co-firing power generation becomes possible in Korea.

An official from SK Materials said, “Going forward, we will supply blue ammonia as an energy source to replace the main fuel for domestic coal-fired power plants, creating an environment in which electricity is produced while reducing carbon emissions.”

In addition, SK Materials plans to expand its cooperation with ExxonMobil in the mid- to long-term to develop carbon reduction solutions.

SK Materials President Lee Yong-wook said, “We plan to strengthen our cooperation with ExxonMobil so that we can become partners in pursuing various carbon reduction projects, starting with blue ammonia,” and “Based on this, we will build a value chain that produces, consumes, and distributes blue ammonia in a more economical and environmentally friendly way.”

“ExxonMobil continues to invest in low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, helping reduce ExxonMobil’s carbon emissions and support the decarbonization of our diverse customers around the world,” said Dan Ammann, President of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions.