LOTTE Fine Chemical and Amogy Partner on Ammonia-Based Clean Energy Projects

LOTTE Fine Chemical has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based Amogy to explore ammonia-based clean energy projects spanning hydrogen production, distributed power generation and marine fuel supply in South Korea.

The agreement combines LOTTE Fine Chemical’s ammonia procurement and distribution infrastructure with Amogy’s ammonia cracking and power generation technologies. The companies said the partnership is intended to support the development of South Korea’s clean hydrogen and power markets.

The MoU was signed at LOTTE Fine Chemical’s Seoul office in a ceremony attended by Chung Seung-won, CEO of LOTTE Fine Chemical, and Woo Seong-hoon, CEO of Amogy, along with officials from both companies. Shin Yu-yeol, head of the future growth office at Lotte Corp., also attended.

Three Areas of Cooperation

Under the agreement, LOTTE Fine Chemical and Amogy will examine cooperation across three areas: green hydrogen refuelling stations, distributed green ammonia power generation and green ammonia bunkering for marine vessels.

The proposed projects would combine LOTTE Fine Chemical’s ammonia supply and storage capabilities with Amogy’s technologies for converting ammonia into hydrogen and generating electricity.

Green Hydrogen Refuelling Stations

For hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, LOTTE Fine Chemical plans to explore the supply of green ammonia through its overseas procurement network and domestic infrastructure.

Amogy would provide modular ammonia cracking systems capable of converting ammonia into hydrogen at the point of use. The model would allow hydrogen to be produced and supplied directly at refuelling stations, potentially reducing the need to transport hydrogen separately.

The companies will assess the feasibility of applying the technology to South Korea’s developing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Distributed Ammonia Power Generation

The second area of cooperation involves distributed power generation using green ammonia.

Under the proposed arrangement, LOTTE Fine Chemical would be responsible for ammonia supply and storage, while Amogy would provide ammonia-fuelled power modules based on fuel cell and internal combustion engine technologies.

The systems are being considered for applications including commercial facilities and local communities, where distributed power generation could provide an alternative to conventional centralised electricity supply.

Green Ammonia Bunkering

The companies will also explore the use of green ammonia as a marine fuel.

LOTTE Fine Chemical plans to leverage its infrastructure at Ulsan Port to supply ammonia fuel to vessels carrying power modules being developed by Amogy.

The cooperation comes as ammonia is being evaluated by the maritime sector as a potential fuel for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, particularly for vessel types and operating profiles where direct electrification is challenging.

LOTTE Fine Chemical Expands Ammonia Supply Chain

LOTTE Fine Chemical operates what it describes as Asia’s largest ammonia distribution infrastructure and has been developing capabilities across the green ammonia supply chain.

The company imported green ammonia in March in what it described as a world-first achievement and subsequently conducted the first commercial bunkering of green ammonia as a marine fuel in April.

The company is positioning its existing ammonia infrastructure as a platform for applications extending beyond conventional ammonia distribution, including hydrogen production, power generation and marine fuel supply.

Companies Target Clean Hydrogen and Power Markets

Hwang Seok-min, head of the ammonia business division at LOTTE Fine Chemical, said through cooperation with Amogy, the company expects to expand its existing infrastructure into a range of applications including hydrogen production and power generation, and to contribute to invigorating the domestic clean ammonia and hydrogen economy.

Amogy CEO Woo Seong-hoon said the company would work to combine LOTTE Fine Chemical’s supply chain and infrastructure with Amogy’s ammonia-based hydrogen production and power generation technology to produce meaningful results in hydrogen refuelling, distributed power generation and shipping.

The partnership will initially focus on exploring potential applications and business opportunities across the three areas, with the companies seeking to combine ammonia supply infrastructure with conversion and power-generation technologies.