Yara has officially inaugurated Europe’s largest industrial carbon capture facility at its Sluiskil plant in the Netherlands, marking a major step forward for industrial decarbonisation and the development of cross-border carbon capture and storage infrastructure.
The facility can capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year from ammonia production. The captured carbon will then be transported by ship to Norway before being permanently stored beneath the seabed by Northern Lights.
A Major Step for Industrial Decarbonisation
The inauguration on 7 September marks the establishment of the first complete cross-border value chain for capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO₂.
Yara says the project is expected to capture and store approximately 12 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next 15 years, making a significant contribution to European climate ambitions while demonstrating how heavy industry can reduce emissions without moving production and jobs away from Europe.
Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International, described the project as an important milestone for both the company and European industry, highlighting the role of practical decarbonisation solutions in maintaining Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
The opening was attended by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra.
Connecting Industry Across Borders
The project brings together infrastructure in the Netherlands and Norway to create a complete carbon management system.
Once captured at Yara Sluiskil, the CO₂ is liquefied and temporarily stored before being transported by Northern Lights vessels to Øygarden in Norway. From there, it will be permanently stored approximately 2,600 metres beneath the seabed.
The partnership demonstrates how cross-border infrastructure can help European industry access permanent CO₂ storage while supporting the wider development of the continent’s carbon management market.
Tim Heijn, Managing Director of Northern Lights, said the project demonstrates that the capture, transport and storage of CO₂ across national borders can work at scale.
Supporting European Industry
Carbon capture and storage is increasingly being considered an important tool for industries where reducing emissions through electrification or renewable energy alone can be challenging.
For sectors such as fertiliser, ammonia, cement and waste management, CCS can provide a route to significantly lower emissions while allowing established production facilities and associated employment to remain in Europe.
For Yara, the Sluiskil facility also supports the company’s wider strategy to develop lower-carbon products and value chains across agriculture, industry, energy and shipping.
Creating Lower-Carbon Products
The company expects the project to help reduce the carbon footprint of its production while supporting the development of low-carbon fertilisers, ammonia and maritime fuels.
Low-carbon fertilisers could contribute to more sustainable food production, while low-carbon ammonia has potential applications across industrial processes and clean energy. The technology could also support the development of lower-carbon fuels for the maritime sector.
By integrating carbon capture into its existing ammonia production operations, Yara is seeking to demonstrate how established industrial infrastructure can be adapted as Europe moves towards a lower-carbon economy.
A Long-Term Investment in Sustainability
The Sluiskil project represents a significant step in Yara’s efforts to reduce emissions from its production while maintaining its role as a major European supplier of crop nutrition and ammonia products.
With the facility now officially inaugurated, the company and Northern Lights will begin a new phase of operations focused on capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO₂ at scale.
The project offers a practical example of how industrial investment, technological innovation and international cooperation can work together to support Europe’s sustainability ambitions while strengthening the resilience of its industrial base.
Source: Yara International
Images: Yara International