Fertiglobe begins renewable ammonia delivery for Unilever detergent

UAE-based fertiliser and ammonia producer Fertiglobe (ADX:FERTIGLB) has made the first shipment of renewable ammonia to support a pilot project at Unilever Plc (LON:ULVR), targeting the near-zero emissions production of synthetic soda ash -- a key ingredient for laundry powder.

Produced at Fertiglobe’s plant in Egypt using green hydrogen from its pilot green hydrogen electrolyser in Ain Sokhna, the renewable ammonia has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS), Fertiglobe said on Monday.

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The shipment was facilitated by Fertiglobe's co-owner, OCI Global, and sent to a Unilever partner in the pilot project -- India-based Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited (TFL). The company will use the renewable ammonia to produce synthetic soda ash for Unilever's operations in India.

As part of the pilot project, green hydrogen is used to produce green ammonia. Subsequently, soda ash is produced in boilers which have been repurposed to operate on renewable energy rather than coal. The carbon dioxide produced by the boilers is captured and used in the manufacturing process. The pilot is expected to produce enough "near-zero" soda ash for about 6,000 tonnes of laundry powder.

Unilever hopes that the collaboration with TFL and Fertiglobe will help it reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain as nearly 60% of its greenhouse gas impact comes from the raw materials and ingredients for its products. In the Home Care business, where chemicals play a critical role, this percentage is even higher, nearing 80%.