Idemitsu Kosan has agreed with Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Proman to participate in the development of the proposed clean ammonia production project in Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. The project targets to produce approximately 1.2 MMtpy of ultra-low carbon clean ammonia per year by FY2030 and will adopt the SynCOR of Topsøe A/S and the Advanced KM CDR Process developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) in collaboration with Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc, which is state-of-the-art low-carbon technology of Japanese company.

Idemitsu aims to establish an ammonia import terminal utilizing the existing infrastructure at the Tokuyama plant (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture), and supply over 1 MMt of the clean ammonia by 2030 to various industrial companies, including those that produce and supply materials in the chemicals and steel sectors.

MC aims to turn its part of the LPG terminal located in Namikata-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, into an ammonia terminal and supply the clean ammonia for various industrial applications, mainly in the Shikoku and Chugoku regions.

Both Idemitsu and MC intend to supply clean ammonia produced by the Project to Japan through these terminals. As ammonia does not emit CO₂ during combustion and can be transported and stored by existing facilities, it is expected to contribute positively to the low-carbon and decarbonization targets of customers in various industries.

MC, Proman and Idemitsu will continue to study the feasibility of establishing a robust, large-scale clean ammonia supply chain. The project is under FEED process, which has been awarded to MHI and Zachry Group of the U.S.

According to the definition of Clean Fuel Ammonia Association, clean ammonia is defined as the ammonia that reduces more than 60% of CO₂ emissions from during manufacturing (Gate to Gate), based on emissions from the natural gas steam methane reforming process. This project targets over 80% CO₂ emission reduction from Gate to Gate and over 70% CO₂ emission reduction from raw material procurement to production (Well to Gate).