The largest industrial carbon capture facility in Europe was officially opened at Yara’s site in Sluiskil, Netherlands. The initiative creates the inaugural comprehensive cross-border value chain for capturing, moving, and permanently storing CO₂ (CCS).
The ceremony was highlighted by the attendance of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, along with Yara International's President and CEO, Svein Tore Holsether.
“This day is significant for Yara and for the European industry. The carbon capture plant in Sluiskil demonstrates that industrial decarbonization on a large scale is achievable today. With global competition rising, Europe needs to identify methods to reduce emissions while maintaining industry, employment, and essential value chains within Europe. This project is precisely what it's all about," states Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International.
Yara Sluiskil, the largest ammonia and fertilizer facility in Europe, can capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tons of CO₂ each year from ammonia manufacturing, thus evading carbon taxes on these quantities. The CO₂ will be shipped to Norway, where Northern Lights will permanently store it below the seabed.
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Provided the appropriate framework conditions are established, the project aims to capture and store approximately 12 million tons of CO₂ within the next 15 years, significantly aiding European climate objectives and industrial change.
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CCS plays a vital role in addressing climate challenges for energy-intensive sectors and is a significant factor in enhancing Europe's industrial competitiveness. This technology allows for decreased emissions from energy-intensive sectors such as fertilizers, ammonia, cement, and waste management, all while preserving production, employment, and value generation in Europe.
“Europe needs practical climate solutions that deliver real emissions reductions while strengthening industrial competitiveness. The carbon capture and storage project at Sluiskil shows what is possible when innovation and cross-border cooperation come together. This is exactly the kind of project Europe needs to combine climate ambition with a strong and resilient industrial base,” says Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth.
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“This is a milestone we have been looking forward to. We are proud to start operations together with Yara and to see the agreement signed in 2023 become reality. Together, we are demonstrating that capture and cross-border CO₂ transport and storage is a viable solution for European industry. This is an important step in the development of Europe’s carbon management market and shows what is possible when industry and governments work together to build the infrastructure needed for Europe’s transition,” says Tim Heijn, Managing Director of Northern Lights.