Envision Ships World's First Commercial Green Ammonia Cargo

The Envision facility in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, is the world's largest green ammonia plant, with an initial annual production capacity of 320,000 tons. The project is entirely off-grid, powered by a dedicated system of wind and solar energy combined with battery storage. This self-contained system is a key innovation, designed to provide the stable, continuous power required for chemical production—a major challenge when using intermittent renewable sources. Envision's "Physical AI" is central to the project's operation. This system, underpinned by an Energy Foundation Model named Dubhe, analyzes real-world data to manage and orchestrate the renewable power generation, storage, and energy demand for ammonia synthesis in real-time. It works in tandem with a weather foundation model called Tianji to predict fluctuations in wind and solar output, allowing the plant to adjust operations proactively and maintain stability. Green ammonia is produced using renewable energy to power the electrolysis of water, creating "green hydrogen." This hydrogen is then combined with nitrogen separated from the air via the Haber-Bosch process. Unlike conventional "grey" ammonia production, which relies on natural gas and emits about 1.8 tons of CO2 for every ton of ammonia, this process is carbon-free. The global green ammonia market is projected to grow significantly, with some forecasts predicting a market size of over $36 billion by 2034, driven by a compound annual growth rate exceeding 50%. This growth is fueled by the push to decarbonize sectors like agriculture, where ammonia is a key fertilizer component, and new applications in shipping and energy storage. For South Korea, a major energy importer, green ammonia is a strategic pillar for enhancing energy security and meeting decarbonization goals. The country is actively building a clean ammonia supply chain, with LOTTE Fine Chemical, Asia's largest ammonia buyer, playing a central role. Importing green ammonia for use as a shipping fuel and as a carrier for hydrogen is seen as more scalable and cost-effective than attempting large-scale domestic green hydrogen production. Ammonia is a more efficient carrier for hydrogen than liquefying hydrogen itself, as it can be stored and transported as a liquid at a much higher temperature (-33°C vs. -253°C). This makes it a critical enabler for a global hydrogen economy, allowing renewable energy to be captured in favorable locations like Inner Mongolia and shipped to industrial demand centers. This shipment represents a critical proof-of-concept for the entire green ammonia value chain, from production powered by renewables to international logistics and industrial use. The Chifeng plant has already secured a long-term offtake agreement with Japan's Marubeni Corporation, signaling growing international demand. Envision aims to achieve price parity with grey ammonia by 2028 without relying on subsidies. Turkey is also positioning itself within the green hydrogen and ammonia landscape, aiming to reduce its heavy reliance on imported grey ammonia for its fertilizer industry. The country's National Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap prioritizes the development of green hydrogen production, with an eye toward both domestic industrial use and potential exports to Europe. This aligns with a broader strategy to enhance energy security by replacing fossil fuel imports with domestically produced clean fuels.