National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is looking to collaborate with two Japanese companies on an initiative aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions and developing bio-based feedstocks for the petrochemical sector.
PTT is interested in partnering with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore the use of hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels, along with carbon capture and storage technology. Additionally, it seeks to collaborate with Sunyo Petrochemical Industries to create eco-friendly raw materials, according to Ratthakorn Kampanathsanyakorn, PTT’s senior executive vice-president for sustainability.
The partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries aligns with PTT’s commitment to support global efforts against climate change.
“Our goal is to lower carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions from PTT’s operations to achieve carbon neutrality,” Mr. Ratthakorn stated, referencing the company’s aim to balance carbon emissions with absorption by 2040.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is developing technology that enables power plant operators to substitute a portion of natural gas with hydrogen for electricity generation.
Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, leading to increased global demand for this fuel, according to Tozawa Takashi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ vice-president for energy systems. He emphasized that the higher consumption of hydrogen will boost demand for machinery designed for hydrogen-based power generation.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has successfully implemented a co-firing technique, blending natural gas with hydrogen—up to 30% of total gas fuels—to generate electricity. The company is currently researching ways to increase the hydrogen proportion to 100%.
“We plan to utilize only hydrogen to power turbines for electricity generation and anticipate launching a hydrogen-fueled machine by 2030,” Mr. Takashi added.
While hydrogen offers significant benefits in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, it remains expensive, and investment in hydrogen-based technology is substantial, he noted.
Mr. Ratthakorn further highlighted that PTT is also keen to collaborate with Sunyo Petrochemical Industries, which aims to provide new raw materials derived from sugar cane and cassava to petrochemical facilities in Rayong province.
“We have just begun discussions on cooperation projects with Japanese companies, paving the way for PTT to meet its environmental objectives,” Mr. Ratthakorn concluded.
