Europe’s largest industrial carbon capture facility was officially inaugurated on 7 September at Yara’s plant in Sluiskil, the Netherlands. The project establishes the first complete cross-border value chain for capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO2.
The inauguration was marked by the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, and President and CEO of Yara International, Svein Tore Holsether.
‘This is an important day for Yara and for European industry,’ says Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International. ‘The carbon capture facility in Sluiskil proves that large-scale industrial decarbonisation is possible today. As global competition intensifies, Europe must find ways to cut emissions while keeping industry, jobs and critical value chains in Europe. That is exactly what this project is about.’
Also read: Yara opens ammonia import terminal in Germany
From ammonia production to offshore CO2 storage
Yara Sluiskil, Europe’s largest ammonia and fertilizer plant can capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from ammonia production thereby avoiding carbon taxation on these volumes. The CO2 will be transported by ship to Norway, where Northern Lights will permanently store it beneath the seabed.
With the right framework conditions in place, the carbon capture project is expected to catch and store around 12 million tonnes of CO2 over the next fifteen years. As such, it makes a significant contribution to European climate goals and industrial transformation.
Also read: Northern Lights stores first CO2 offshore Norway
Carbon capture for Europe’s industrial future
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical part of the climate solution for energy-intensive industries, but also an important enabler of Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The technology makes it possible to reduce emissions from energy intensive industries like fertilizers, ammonia, cement and waste management while maintaining production, jobs and value creation in Europe.
Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth: ‘Europe needs practical climate solutions that deliver real emissions reductions while strengthening industrial competitiveness. The CCS project at Sluiskil shows what is possible when innovation and cross-border cooperation come together. This is exactly the kind of project Europe needs to combine climate ambition with a strong and resilient industrial base.’
The project demonstrates how cooperation across value chains and national borders can unlock substantial emissions reductions in European industry. It also shows how shared infrastructure can help accelerate industrial decarbonisation by enabling companies across Europe to access permanent CO2 storage solutions.
Key facts about Yara and Northern Lights’ CCS project
- Yara Sluiskil will capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from ammonia production.
- The CO2 will be liquefied and temporarily stored at Yara Sluiskil.
- Northern Lights vessels will transport the CO2 to Øygarden, Norway.
- Northern Lights will permanently store the CO2 2600 metres below the seabed.
- The project is expected to capture and store approximately 12 million tonnes of CO2 over fifteen years.
Also read: Yara to ship captured CO2 to Norway for subsea storage
Low-carbon products and value chains
CCS enables Yara to further reduce the carbon footprint of its production and support low-carbon value chains across agriculture, industry, energy and shipping, including:
- Low-carbon fertilizers to support more sustainable food production.
- Low-carbon ammonia for industrial applications and clean energy solution.
- Low-carbon fuels for the maritime sector.
Picture: Storage tanks at Yara Sluiskil (photo Yara International ASA).
