South African Delegation Visits Germany To Learn About Green Transition
The International Climate Initiative (IKI) supported the visit of a South African delegation to Germany, bringing together experts to learn from each other. Participants visited pioneering companies and research initiatives in the fields of green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX), and met with process industry experts at the ACHEMA trade show.
South Africa has significant potential for green hydrogen and sustainable PtX production due to its abundant renewable energy resources. With increasing global interest in transitioning to cleaner energy, South Africa’s vast potential for green hydrogen represents a unique opportunity to become a global leader. This goes hand in hand with the transformation of South Africa’s high potential and currently highly polluting chemical industry into a sustainability leader.
South Africa’s Green Hydrogen Potential
The development of a sustainable chemicals sector in South Africa is critical to driving economic growth while minimising environmental impact. Green hydrogen can serve as a clean feedstock for the petrochemical industry, enabling the production of various essential chemicals without reliance on fossil fuels.
This transition is in line with global sustainability goals and green products will command a premium price in international markets.
Working with German chemical industry pioneers can accelerate South Africa’s journey towards a sustainable future. Germany is renowned for its expertise in chemical engineering and sustainable technologies, making it an ideal partner for collaborative knowledge and technology exchange.
In June 2024, six delegates from South African government departments, universities and the private sector visited key German research initiatives and companies that are pioneering the path towards a green chemicals sector. Delegates from Argentina, Kenya, Morocco, and Japan also joined in to facilitate a global exchange of knowledge and technology.
Details Of The Visit
The study tour began with an introduction and welcome reception by Dr Andreas Förster, Executive Director of DECHEMA. Thomas Hild introduced the German flagship project H2Giga, which enables the mass production of electrolysers.
The next stop was the Höchst industrial park in Frankfurt. The park is home to 120 companies and 22,000 jobs. The bus tour of the park focused on the production and use of renewable hydrogen, including hydrogen infrastructure and refuelling stations.
A highlight was the fleet of 27 hydrogen trains already in operation. Ineratec also presented their Power-to-Liquid plant, which is currently under construction and will be the largest in the world. Up to 3,500 tonnes or 4.6 million litres of e-fuels will be produced annually from up to 10,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 and renewable electricity.
The second day began with a visit to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where their latest research on safe hydrogen handling and Biomass-to-Liquid technology was presented. The hydrogen test centre HYKA of the Institute for Thermal Energy Technology and Safety (KIT-ITES) routinely tests the safety of handling hydrogen.
The Bioliq pilot plant is testing the use of various forms of biomass to produce liquid fuels. The pilot research initiative has now been completed and the technology proven.
At Thyssenkrupp’s headquarters in Essen, Cristopher Frank presented their Power-to-X technologies to produce green basic chemicals such as ammonia and methanol, as well as synthetic fuels.
Dr Nina Kolbe presented the use of hydrogen in direct reduction steelmaking and the role of the Carbon2Chem pilot plant in the transformation pathway of Thyssenkrupp Steel. Carbon2Chem is testing a way to make steel greener. The plant produces methanol using blast furnace gas from the nearby steelworks. Phase three of the project is about to start soon.
Thyssenkrupp plans to build the largest direct reduction steel plant in Europe. Clarissa Steinweider presented the electrolysis technology of Thyssenkrupp Nucera.
Finally, the delegates attended ACHEMA, the world’s largest trade fair for the process industries. In Frankfurt, the delegations met with more than 1,000 manufacturers and service providers from over 50 countries, showcasing their products for chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech research, and manufacturing as well as energy and environmental services. Two sessions by Dechema, the PtX Hub and the delegations brought an international perspective to the ACHEMA.
The week-long trip demonstrated the momentum of South African-German cooperation and technology research and adoption for green hydrogen and Power-to-X to enable the transition to sustainable industries globally.
