Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp., South Korea’s Lotte Chemical Corp. and German energy company RWE signed a joint study agreement (JSA) to explore possibility to produce green ammonia in the U.S. state of Texas. Under the JSA, the companies will jointly study the development of a large-scale ammonia facility that integrates green and blue ammonia production and leverages common infrastructure for international exports with a focus on Asia and Europe.

Developed economies of the world have been increasingly looking at green hydrogen as a key fuel for energy transition to reach net zero emission targets towards mid-century.

The three partners target the first production by 2030 and a phased build-out of production capacity with multiple production units. In the final build-out stage the project is expected to produce up to 10 million tons of clean ammonia per year.

The land required for the project is still under discussion with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority in Texas. The companies said they are bringing together complementary expertise to develop the project.

This JSA is said to complement other preliminary efforts to develop large-scale clean ammonia projects including the South Texas region.

In addition to clean ammonia, plans are underway to also develop green hydrogen projects in the port.

As an example, Apex Clean Energy, Ares, EPIC Midstream, and PPCA are looking into green hydrogen production, including a new pipeline and a green fuels hub at the port.

The Port of Corpus Christi has also been pushed by the U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstration to submit a full application for its Horizons Clean Hydrogen Hub (HCH2) through the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program.