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Ammonia market to triple by 2050 with nearly all growth coming from low-carbon supply; shift to energy markets

The global market for ammonia is poised to triple in the coming decades with nearly all of the growth coming from low-carbon ammonia, according to a new analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights. Driven by improved economics resulting from decarbonization policies, low-carbon ammonia is expected to grow from its current nascent state to 420 million tons—two thirds of the total market—by 2050.

Global_ammonia_demand_to_2050_S_P_Global_Commodity_Insights_HI_RES_Infographic

Decarbonization policies, including incentives in the US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, are transforming the economic fundamentals of low-carbon ammonia. The transition from concept to reality is already happening.

—Sean Mulholland, Director, Agribusiness Consulting, S&P Global Commodity Insights

The new report, Low-carbon Ammonia: Facilitating the Transition to a Sustainable Future says that the potential use of low-carbon ammonia as a marine bunker fuel, industry feedstock and as a carrier for hydrogen used in power generation represents a profound shift for the industry—from one geared primarily towards fertilizer production to one driven by energy markets.

S&P Global Commodity Insights expects global trade of ammonia to increase nearly ten times over by 2050 (160 million metric tons) as a result. While most ammonia is currently consumed on-site to produce other products that are then traded, low-carbon ammonia will more often be traded as a commodity in its own right. The Americas, the Middle East and Australia are expected to emerge as major exporters with Europe and East Asia emerging as major demand centers, the analysis says.

The rapid growth in ammonia driven by low-carbon supplies will change the current market beyond recognition. The diversification of supply routes and demand applications will introduce carbon capture, renewables, power utility and shipping market participants to an industry currently dominated by fertilizer producers.

—Ryan Monis, Director, Chemical Consulting, S&P Global Commodity Insights

The current pipeline of low-carbon ammonia projects for power generation—with owners consisting of public utilities, oil and gas majors, investment funds and others—illustrates the shift towards a broader group of market participants, the analysis says. Joint ventures between renewable energy producers, hydrogen producers and ammonia producers can also be expected to emerge.

While decarbonization policies have provided an irreversible momentum for low-carbon ammonia, several factors will be key in determining the ultimate composition of the market, the analysis says.

S&P Global Commodity Insights expects ‘blue’ ammonia (hydrocarbon-based production coupled with carbon capture and storage) to be more economically attractive than conventional production in some key markets before 2030 due to a combination of carbon emissions penalties and production subsidies. However, ‘green’ ammonia (produced from renewable electricity) will require further policy support beyond the incentives already announced to make it cost competitive in most markets.

Other points of high potential impact on the development of the market include the development of certification and classification systems to harmonize international trade; greater clarity from some major markets regarding acceptable emissions thresholds for hydrogen and ammonia in their decarbonization plans; and the pace of innovation and efficiency improvements for ammonia’s use in power generation, the analysis says.

Despite some policy and technological uncertainties remaining, it is now clear that the fundamental economics of low-carbon ammonia have been transformed. We expect the number of projects reaching Final Investment Decisions to accelerate significantly in the coming years, not only in production capacity but also in the associated infrastructure required to take the low-carbon ammonia market from concept to reality.

—Ryan Monis

In addition to the new strategic report, S&P Global Commodity Insights has also introduced a new Monthly Low-carbon Ammonia Report service. Produced by Fertecon, the fertilizer analysis team at S&P Global Commodity Insights and the leading provider of data and insights for ammonia for more than 40 years, the new monthly report offers a regular and recurring market analysis that provides business intelligence and short-term forecasts for the low-carbon ammonia market as an individual sector.

Comments

Davemart

They have worked out a safe, low energy cost way of storing ammonia:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113355.htm

' "To our surprise, ammonia stored in ethylammonium lead iodide could be easily extracted by heating it gently," says Kawamoto. The stored nitrogen compound undergoes a reverse reaction at 50°C (122°F) under vacuum and returns to ammonia. This temperature is much lower than the 150°C (302°F) or more that is needed to extract ammonia from porous compounds, making EAPbI3 an excellent medium for handling corrosive gases in a simple and cost-effective process. Additionally, after returning to the one-dimensional columnar structure, the perovskite can be reused, allowing ammonia to be repeatedly stored and extracted. An added bonus was that the normally yellow compound became white after the reaction. According to Kawamoto, "the compound's ability to change color when storing ammonia means that color-based ammonia sensors can be developed to determine the amount of ammonia stored."'

I dunno at what point in the chain that would be used, as presumably it adds substantially to the weight, I have no figures for that unfortunately and my chemistry knowledge means that working it out from the formula would be perilous, so I suppose it would still be transported by tanker, and also would not be utilisable in vehicles, although both are just conservative guesses.

It should still come in very handy though, perhaps for seasonal storage.

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