TA'ZIZ Sets Foundation For Sustainable Energy With New Low-Carbon Ammonia Plant

TA'ZIZ, a chemicals and transition fuels ecosystem in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi, has awarded a construction contract for its 1 million tons per annum (mtpa) low-carbon ammonia production facility. The announcement was made at the "Make it in the Emirates Forum". The contract was awarded to Tecnimont S.p.A (MAIRE Group) by Fertiglobe, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and GS Energy Corporation.

Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024, with operations expected to start in 2027. A significant portion of the construction award value is anticipated to benefit the UAE's economy through ADNOC's In-Country Value (ICV) programme. A preliminary life cycle assessment study suggests that Phase 1 of the plant will produce ammonia with 50% lower carbon intensity compared to conventional methods.

Mashal Saoud Al-Kindi, CEO of TA'ZIZ, highlighted the importance of ammonia as a key transition fuel. He stated, "This ammonia production facility will produce enough low-carbon ammonia to power hundreds of thousands of homes annually. It is core to TA'ZIZ's mission to boost local industry supply chains, enhance ICV, and catalyse manufacturing capabilities in the UAE with a focus on sustainability."

The first phase of TA'ZIZ prioritises domestic production of six chemicals: ammonia, methanol, ethylene dichloride, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride monomer, and caustic. This sets the foundation for manufacturing hundreds of new end-products in the UAE for the first time, unlocking further diversification and industrialisation opportunities in the country.

This phase is projected to create a multi-billion dollar investment in the country's GDP and generate thousands of jobs over the next 20 years. With a mandate to position the UAE as a global chemical leader, TA'ZIZ has initiated the design process for a future expansion that will more than double its Phase 1 production capacity.

The expansion will also increase its focus on decarbonisation through clean power and carbon capture. The second stage aims to further reduce carbon intensity by capturing and sequestrating carbon dioxide emissions.

Future Prospects

TA'ZIZ's efforts are aligned with broader goals to enhance sustainability and economic growth in the UAE. The project represents a significant step towards achieving these objectives by integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices into its operations.

The initiative underscores TA'ZIZ's commitment to fostering local industry supply chains and enhancing manufacturing capabilities within the UAE. By focusing on sustainability and innovation, TA'ZIZ aims to contribute significantly to the nation's economic diversification and industrialisation efforts.

With inputs from WAM