Johnson Matthey and KBR have agreed to team in licensing ammonia-methanol co-production process technology. The co-production technology combines Johnson Matthey’s methanol process and KBR’s proprietary Purifier ammonia process. Both market-leading technologies showcase extensive history and experience while undergoing continuous improvements. JM has licensed its methanol technology to more than 100 grassroots methanol plants in the last 45 years. Meanwhile, KBR has been licensing its Purifier technology since the 1960s for over 244 ammonia plants worldwide.
Ammonia is mostly used to produce urea for fertilizer. Meanwhile, methanol and its derivative products are primarily used in the manufacturing of paints, synthetic fabrics, formaldehyde, adhesives, acrylic plastic, as well as agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Methanol and ammonia co-production in a single plant can provide many benefits, including lower capital expenses and operating costs. KBR and JM claim that the co-production process can optimize investment and cost while offering high flexibility, reliability, and safety.
