Name of the Project
Hiryo coal-to-fertiliser and methanol project.

Location
Kriel, in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
South African company specialising in blue ammonia production SUISO.

Project Description
The facility aims to produce 1.5-million tons of nitrogen-based fertilisers a year, which will significantly reduce reliance on imported fertilisers. Output will include urea, ammonia nitrate and controlled-release variants.

Suiso plans to establish a blue ammonia production facility with a capacity of 2 200 t/d. This facility will produce about 2 600 t/d of urea, 1 600 t/d of ammonium nitrate and a low-density ammonium nitrate using prilling technology, with any excess ammonia being sold in bulk.

The project will use advanced carbon capture and utilisation systems to significantly reduce emissions. Captured carbon will be repurposed for gypsum and ammonium carbonate production, consequently converting waste into valuable resources for agriculture and construction. 

In addition, the project will implement wet flue gas desulphurisation and advanced water recycling systems to meet international emission standards. These technologies will reduce nitrogen and sulphur dioxide emissions, addressing long-standing air-quality concerns in Mpumalanga. 

Further, the production of 234 000 t/y of clean, zero-sulphur blue methanol will ensure compliance with South Africa’s upcoming Fuel Act of 2027.

Potential Job Creation
About 4 000 jobs will be created during construction, transitioning to 981 permanent positions once fully operational. To build a skilled workforce, the on-site Gerhard Potgieter Engineering Training College will upskill 400 employees, fostering sustainable development and economic resilience in Mpumalanga.

Capital Expenditure
R31.5-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to be fully operational in 2029.

Latest Developments
Multilateral financial institution the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank’s) Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) department has been appointed and mandated as the exclusive financial adviser to raise capital for the project.

The ACMA department’s role will be to leverage its network and expertise to structure and mobilise the capital required for project execution.

The project, which aims to promote sustainable agriculture, will use fertiliser technology, such as air products gasification, and aims to enhance food security in the region.

Sponsored by a consortium of energy and industrial companies, the project is an investment in South Africa’s industrial agriculture sector aimed at reducing dependency on imported fertilisers.

Suiso was formed recently to focus on the manufacture of ammonia and fertiliser using a fossil fuel gasification process.

It intends to build a more resilient and sustainable fertiliser and agricultural market across sub-Saharan Africa with more efficient fertiliser application rates and a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Sinopec Ningbo Engineering and Stamicarbon (engineering partners).

Contact Details for Project Information
SUISO, email info@suiso.co.za.