Accelerating Efforts to Achieve a Decarbonized Society in Japan and South Korea
According to the company’s website news release on September 30, 2022, Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Masayuki Hyodo) has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with LOTTE Chemical (Head Office: Songpa-gu, Korea; CEO: Kim Gyo-Hyun) of the Lotte Group in Korea for collaboration in the hydrogen and ammonia fields.
Hydrogen and ammonia are expected to be energy sources that contribute to decarbonization in a wide range of fields, including transportation and power generation, as they do not emit CO2 during combustion. In particular, Japan and South Korea are expected to become large importers of hydrogen and ammonia as they accelerate their initiatives for mixed combustion and mono-fuel combustion of hydrogen and ammonia in the power generation sector, which is expected to create large-scale demand for hydrogen and ammonia in the future.
Sumitomo Corporation and LOTTE Chemical will jointly look into a wide range of business development opportunities for collaboration in the fields of hydrogen and ammonia, including (1) joint investment in hydrogen and ammonia production projects in Australia, Chile, and other regions and the establishment of value chains to Japan and Korea, (2) development of ammonia storage terminals in Japan and Korea, (3) commercialization of new hydrogen and ammonia-related technologies and their deployment in the Japanese and Korean markets, and (4) collaboration in the CCUS (Note 1) field. As part of this cooaborationcollaboration, in August this year, Sumitomo Corporation, LOTTE Chemical, and Syzygy Plasmonics, a U.S. hydrogen technology startup with the world's most advanced photocatalytic technology, agreed to conduct the world's first joint demonstration test of hydrogen production by ammonia decomposition using photocatalyst (Note 2) in Korea.
Sumitomo Corporation considers hydrogen and ammonia as one of the key energy sources in a decarbonized society, and is engaged in the development of a wide range of hydrogen and ammonia-related businesses, including local production for local consumption businesses, large-scale value chain businesses to promote mass production, transportation, storage, and utilization, and investment in new technologies. In the ammonia field, we will also consider and promote an ammonia bunkering business to be promoted in Singapore, design and development of ammonia-fueled ships, and development of infrastructure for marine transportation and storage. Through these efforts, we aim to handle 300,000 tons of hydrogen by 2030 (Note 3), which is approximately 10 percent of the Japanese government's target for hydrogen imports, thereby securing a leading position in Japan.
LOTTE Chemical is a Korean chemical manufacturer with 26 production bases in 22 countries. Under the slogan of "Every Step for GREEN," the company announced its "2030 Vision" in May of this year, announcing investment plans for hydrogen energy, battery materials, and recycled plastics, in addition to its existing petrochemical business. In particular, the company plans to produce, supply, and utilize 1.2 million tons of clean hydrogen by 2030, based on large-scale demand, a large-scale supply network, and eco-technologies.
Sumitomo Corporation and LOTTE Chemical will accelerate efforts to build a sustainable energy system to contribute significantly to the realization of a decarbonized society and mitigation of climate change in Japan and Korea, through the promotion of hydrogen and ammonia related businesses.
CCUS：Abbreviation for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage, which means absorption, fixation, and utilization of high concentrated CO2 that is emitted from industrial activities.
Photocatalyst：A substance that accelerates various chemical reactions and increases the energy of chemical substances via radiated light. Syzygy’s photocatalyst enables the induction of various types of chemical reactions at relatively normal temperatures, which were conventionally induced at a high temperature and under high pressure. The technology can provide the advantages of reduced CO2 discharge from chemical reactions, high efficiency, and lower cost. It is expected that the photocatalyst will enable the wider spread use of hydrogen because it offers an efficient alternative to production methods such as the , since various chemical reactions including electrolysis of water. The photocatalyst enables various chemical reactions including, steam methane reforming reformation of vapor and natural gas, and decomposition of ammonia, which are required both used in theto produce hydrogen production process.
we aim to handle 300,000 tons of hydrogen by 2030：Figures include hydrogen equivalent of ammonia.
Sumitomo Corporation’s Material Issues
Sumitomo Corporation Group positions “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project especially contributes to the following material Issues.
Achieving Harmony with the Global Environment
To realize recycling-oriented society and mitigate climate change, we are working to establish frameworks for the efficient use of resources and stable supply of renewable energy. In doing so, we will achieve growth in harmony with the global environment.
Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries
We steadily procure and provide goods and services to meet the needs of people in various countries and regions and contribute to developing industrial platforms. Through these means, we will create a virtuous cycle in which we can grow and develop together with local communities.
Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles
We strive to realize more convenient and comfortable lifestyles by providing goods and services for daily use while also responding to needs for high-quality lifestyles in order to support the physical and mental health of people around the world.
Providing diverse “Accessibility”
We provide diverse accessibility to open up the possibility of creating a new value. To this end, we will improve mobility for safe and efficient flow of people and goods, and expand the network connecting information and finance
Developing Human Resources and Promoting Diversity
In order to create new value and innovation by allowing our diverse personnel to fully exercise their abilities in a variety of fields, we will promote the development and empowerment of human resources, which represent our most important management resources.
Enhancing Governance
We will enhance our ability to draft and implement strategies for achieving sustainable growth and to provide appropriate supervision of these strategies, all while maintaining transparency. In this manner, we will improve management efficiency and maintain sound management.
