Transhydrogen Alliance announces collaboration to bring Green Ammonia to the European Market

TransHydrogen Alliance

Schiedam, the Netherlands, 23 March 2021 – Proton Ventures BV, an engineering and development company in the Netherlands, Dubai-based  Trammo DMCC, a subsidiary of Trammo Inc., a leading global commodities merchandising and trading company and market leader in anhydrous ammonia, and VARO, an European mid- and downstream energy company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) for a joint initiative and mutual cooperation on the production and import of green hydrogen and green ammonia into Europe via Rotterdam, as well as export thereof from selected locations worldwide. The Port of Rotterdam Authority supports this consortium, especially in its effort to set up an import terminal in Rotterdam for these new supply chains. 

The consortium of parties (collectively, “Transhydrogen Alliance”) intends to start its collaboration with an initial project for the production of green hydrogen produced from solar and wind rich areas and the import of such hydrogen in the form of green ammonia into Europe. The initial project is expected to be completed by 2024. 

Following success of the initial project, “Transhydrogen Alliance” targets the import up to 500,000 tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent to up to 2.5 million tonnes green ammonia per year via the Port of Rotterdam. 

 “Transhydrogen Alliance” offers a fully integrated team in the green hydrogen and green ammonia supply chain with knowledge and experience in technology, logistics and sales. Pricing is expected to be competitive compared to that of other supply chains for hydrogen production based on renewable energy. 

The representatives of the companies involved in the venture had the following comments: 

Hans Vrijenhoef, CEO of Proton Ventures: “Transhydrogen Alliance offers an integrated supply chain, with reduced costs for the import of green hydrogen and green ammonia into Europe. Through advanced technology we can make green energy available at an affordable cost. Proton Ventures, with its team of dedicated engineers, has been working on its state-of-the-art technology for over 10 years and in combination with renewable energy cost reductions our vision is becoming reality. We are very excited to be part of this group and look forward to working together with current participants as front runners in the energy transition.” 

Christophe Savi, Head of  Trammo’s Ammonia Division: “Trammo is proud to participate in the project and to help advance the transition of the global Ammonia supply chain as well as the distribution of green energy carriers such as Hydrogen. We are excited to work with a stimulating and engaging group of partners who seek to progress rapidly in achieving our shared goal of producing and providing to the industry a safe, clean and economically sustainable product.”   

Theo Pannekeet, VARO’s Head of Renewables: “VARO is excited to be part of this consortium that aims to bring this green multi-purpose product to a center stage in the energy transition. The solution developed in collaboration with our partners is a great example of how existing technologies can be used to find innovative ways to address the future through new sustainable solutions.”

About Proton Ventures 

Proton Ventures is a technology company that is working to make the global energy transition a reality.  The company specializes in ammonia related technologies and products, including storage concepts for chemical and liquid energy carriers. Proton Ventures designs and builds pressurised and refrigerated ammonia storage facilities, small scale ammonia production facilities ‘NFuel’ units as well as SCR processes. For more information visit: https://protonventures.com/ 

Media contact: 

Rianne Vriend-Vrijenhoef
+31 6 10 54 45 01
rianne.vriend@protonventures.com  

About Trammo 

Trammo is a leading international merchandising and trading company that markets, trades, transports and distributes key raw materials used in industrial processes and fertilizer production globally. The Company is a market leader in anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, sulfuric acid and petroleum coke. In addition, Trammo is a producer and marketer of nitric acid in the United States.  The history of Trammo spans more than 55 years. For more information visit: https://www.trammo.com/, 

Media contact: 

Louis Epstein
ouis.epstein@trammo.com
+1 212 223 3200 

About Varo 

VARO Energy (“VARO”) is an energy company operating throughout the complete downstream fuel supply chain with refining, storage, blending, distribution, sales and marketing assets. It safely delivers high-quality products from fossil and renewable sources to its national and international business customers and end-consumers. The company owns a refinery in Cressier, Switzerland, a majority share in the Bayernoil refinery, Southern Germany, as well as storage facilities, distribution and marketing businesses in Benelux, France, Germany and Switzerland. VARO’s shareholders include Carlyle International Energy Partners, an advisory fund which is part of the global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group; and international energy and commodities company Vitol. For more information about VARO, please visit www.varoenergy.com.

Media contact: 

Florence Lebeau
florence.lebeau@varoenergy.com
+41 79 546 66 31 

Port of Rotterdam 

The aim of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is to strengthen the competitive position of the port of Rotterdam as a logistics hub and a world-class industrial complex in terms of both size and quality. The Port Authority is able and willing to make an impact and so it is focusing on accelerating sustainability in the port and it is a partner in the digitalisation of the port and logistics chains. The Port Authority’s core tasks are the sustainable development, management and operation of the port, the maintenance of the smooth and safe handling of shipping and supporting the future-resilience of the port of Rotterdam. For more information visit: www.portofrotterdam.com    

For more information about the Transhydrogen Alliance, please contact: 

Rianne Vriend-Vrijenhoef
+31 6 10 54 45 01
rianne.vriend@protonventures.com