GC and MHI-AP to build carbon-neutral petrochemical complex in Thailand

PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (MHI-AP) to explore the development of a large-scale petrochemical complex in Thailand. This initiative is aimed at supporting Thailand’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The collaboration will focus on studying low carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, along with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The MOU, spanning four years, includes two primary objectives: assessing the feasibility of using hydrogen and ammonia in gas turbines and optimising CCS technologies for the steam-methane reforming (SMR) process. MHI-AP will contribute its expertise in carbon capture technologies and hydrogen combustion gas turbines.

This partnership aligns with Thailand’s carbon neutrality ambitions and GC’s operational strategies for sustainable business growth under the “Together to Net Zero” concept. GC aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Toasaporn Boonyapipat, COO of GC’s Base and Intermediate Chemicals Business, emphasised GC’s ‘3 Steps Plus’ business strategy, which includes enhancing competitiveness, exploring new markets, and committing to sustainable practices. The use of hydrogen/ammonia as alternative fuels in power generation is a key part of this strategy.

Osamu Ono, managing director of MHI-AP, highlighted the potential of low-carbon fuels and CCS technologies in reducing emissions from existing energy infrastructure. MHI-AP’s partnership with GC aims to establish an economically viable, large-scale carbon-neutral petrochemical plant.