Large-Scale Green Hydrogen for the UK: Air Products and Associated British Ports Partner on Renewable Hydrogen Production

Rhea-AI Summary

Air Products (NYSE: APD) and Associated British Ports (ABP) announced plans to establish a large-scale green hydrogen production facility in the UK. The facility will import green ammonia globally to produce green hydrogen, supporting decarbonization efforts across transport and industry. Expected benefits include the elimination of up to 580,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and a projected $4.6 billion in regional economic growth, creating approximately 1,400 direct and 1,600 indirect jobs. The project aligns with the UK Government's target of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.

Positive

• Projected elimination of 580,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
• $4.6 billion in economic growth and job creation (1,400 direct and 1,600 indirect jobs).
• Supports UK Government's 10GW low-carbon hydrogen target by 2030.
• First-mover advantage in the green hydrogen market.

Negative

• None.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. and LONDON, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) and Associated British Ports (ABP) announced today their intention to partner in bringing the first large scale, green hydrogen production facility to the UK.

The facility would import green ammonia from production locations operated by Air Products and its partners around the world. This would be used to produce green hydrogen, which would decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as transport and industry.

Supporting a Green Hydrogen Economy 

The UK Government has plans for 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen to be in production or construction by 2030. Currently there is no significant domestic production of such hydrogen in the UK. Air Products, as a first mover, aims to help drive progress towards the Government's targets, addressing the urgent task of decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, and reduce the UK's dependency on fossil fuels.

Immingham – the UK's leading port complex decarbonising energy

Air Products and ABP are working together to bring the new green hydrogen facility to the Port of Immingham. The location will provide the required maritime infrastructure and offers good proximity to markets and the required utilities. ABP will invest in new infrastructure with a new jetty to service the import and export handling of liquid bulk products. In addition to handling green ammonia, the jetty is being designed so that it can accommodate other cargoes connected to the energy transition, including the import of liquified carbon dioxide (CO₂) from carbon capture and storage projects for sequestration in the North Sea – thereby playing a significant role in the UK's energy transition.

Immingham sits within the UK's largest industrial cluster and in close proximity to proposed offshore transport and storage networks for CO₂. The scheme follows on from an existing Air Products' plan to develop the UK's largest blue hydrogen facility in Immingham, making the Humber a major location for low-carbon energy production, businesses and jobs.

Benefits to the UK

The project will bring a wide range of benefits to Immingham and the UK, including eliminating up to 580,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, the equivalent of taking 20,000 diesel HGVs off UK roads, as well as reducing nitrous oxide and particulate emissions. In addition, the project will bring up to $4.6 billion in growth and financial benefits to the region and provide 1,400 direct jobs and approximately 1,600 indirect jobs for supply chains and local businesses.

This first-mover project stimulates demand and will support the development of a local and national green hydrogen market. It will be an important contributor to the Government's plans to make the UK a "global leader in low-carbon hydrogen."

"Globally Air Products supports the energy transition by developing real, first-mover projects. We are forging sustainable hydrogen supply chains with our partners and using our hydrogen knowledge and expertise to accelerate the energy transition," commented Ivo Bols, Air Products' President, Europe and Africa. "We are in positive talks with government ministers and officials about our plans to invest in UK green hydrogen. To enable our investment decision, we are seeking some policy assurances that a viable market will exist for our product."

Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "ABP and the Humber are at the epicentre of the decarbonisation agenda and we are delighted to work with Air Products on this project, which will help deliver the UK's legal obligation to be net zero by 2050.

"ABP's ports are a vital part of the UK's energy transition, and we are making significant investments to support a range of renewable energy generation projects, including the expansion of Green Port Hull and the transformation of Port Talbot to help deliver the UK's ambition for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea."

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years. Focused on serving energy, environment and emerging markets, the Company provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. The Company develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas projects, including gasification projects that sustainably convert abundant natural resources into syngas for the production of high-value power, fuels and chemicals; carbon capture projects; and world-scale low- and zero-carbon hydrogen projects supporting global transportation and the energy transition.

The Company had fiscal 2021 sales of $10.3 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization over $55 billion. More than 20,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About ABP (www.abports.co.uk)

ABP, the UK's leading ports group is Keeping Britain Trading with 21 ports and other transport related businesses, creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo.

We are driving growth, contributing £7.5 billion to the UK economy every year and supporting over 119,000 jobs. Our current investment programme promises to further increase our contribution to regional economies around the UK.

ABP is also an essential partner for the Offshore Wind industry, providing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for over 50% of the sector's activity, as well as investing in infrastructure to realise future renewable energy generation.

ABP in numbers:

• ~ 90 million tonnes of cargo handled each year
• 5,000 hectares of port estate owned
• 1,000 hectares of open storage
• 1.4 million square metres of covered storage
• 87km of quay
• > 1.5 million vehicles every year
• ¼ of the UK's rail freight generated
• > £55 million investment made in low emission and renewable energy generation technologies

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

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SOURCE Air Products

FAQ

What is the new partnership between Air Products and ABP about?

Air Products and ABP are partnering to establish a large-scale green hydrogen production facility in the UK, which will produce hydrogen from imported green ammonia.

What are the expected benefits of the green hydrogen facility in the UK?

The facility is expected to eliminate up to 580,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions yearly and generate $4.6 billion in economic growth along with 1,400 direct jobs.

How does the green hydrogen project align with UK Government goals?

The project supports the UK Government's target of achieving 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030.

What impact will the green hydrogen production have on emissions?

The project aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking 20,000 diesel HGVs off UK roads.

What role does the Port of Immingham play in the green hydrogen initiative?

The Port of Immingham will host the new facility, benefitting from its maritime infrastructure and proximity to markets and utilities.