Europe’s largest industrial carbon capture facility was officially inaugurated recently at Yara’s plant in Sluiskil, the Netherlands. The project establishes the first complete cross-border value chain for capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO₂ (CCS).
The inauguration was marked by the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, and President and CEO of Yara International, Svein Tore Holsether.
“This is an important day for Yara and for European industry. The carbon capture facility in Sluiskil proves that large-scale industrial decarbonization is possible today. As global competition intensifies, Europe must find ways to cut emissions while keeping industry, jobs and critical value chains in Europe. That is exactly what this project is about,” says Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International.
Yara Sluiskil, Europe’s largest ammonia and fertilizer plant can capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tons of CO₂ annually from ammonia production thereby avoiding carbon taxation on these volumes. The CO₂ will be transported by ship to Norway, where it will be permanently stored beneath the seabed by Northern Lights.
With the right framework conditions in place, the project is expected to capture and store around 12 million tons of CO₂ over the next 15 years, making a significant contribution to European climate goals and industrial transformation.
A strategic investment in Europe’s industrial future
CCS is a critical part of the climate solution for energy-intensive industries, but also an important enabler of Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The technology makes it possible to reduce emissions from energy intensive industries like fertilizers, ammonia, cement and waste management while maintaining production, jobs and value creation 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.
The project demonstrates how cooperation across value chains and national borders can unlock substantial emissions reductions in European industry. It also shows how shared infrastructure can help accelerate industrial decarbonization by enabling companies across Europe to access permanent CO₂ storage solutions.
“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.
Key facts about Yara and Northern Lights’ CCS project
- Yara Sluiskil will capture up to 800,000 tons of CO₂ annually from ammonia production
- The CO₂ will be liquefied and temporarily stored at Yara Sluiskil
- Northern Lights vessels will transport the CO₂ to Øygarden, Norway
- The CO₂ will be permanently stored 2,600 meters below the seabed by Northern Lights
- The project is expected to capture and store approximately 12 million tons of CO₂ over 15 years
Driving low-carbon products and value chains
CCS enables Yara to further reduce the carbon footprint of its production and support low-carbon value chains across agriculture, industry, energy and shipping, including:
- Low-carbon fertilizers to support more sustainable food production
- Low-carbon ammonia for industrial applications and clean energy solution
- Low-carbon fuels for the maritime sector
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