DOMO Chemicals and Hynamics commit to joint project for the production of polyamides from low-carbon hydrogen
DOMO Chemicals, a leading manufacturer of engineered polyamide materials, and Hynamics, a 100 percent subsidiary of EDF Group specializing in the production of low-carbon hydrogen, have formed a collaboration project with the goal of achieving zero-carbon for 100 percent of the hydrogen used at the Belle-Étoile industrial site in Saint-Fons (south of Lyon, France), in the heart of the French Vallée de la Chimie ("Chemistry Valley").
The "HyDom" project will enable the installation of an 85-megawatt (MW) hydrogen production plant using the water electrolysis process at the Belle-Étoile site for the first time in France, with a production capacity of 11,000 metric tons of low-carbon hydrogen per year.
The plant will be powered by a low-carbon electric power mix from France. It will supply 100 percent of the annual production of hexamethylene diamine, a key component used in the manufacture of plastics, by 2027.
The project will eventually prevent the emission of 84 kilotons of CO2 per year. Hexamethylene diamine, and eventually long-lasting and low-carbon polyamides, will be used in a variety of applications across major industry sectors, including automotive, electronics, and heating and cooling.
This project is a major step towards the decarbonization of industrial sites that use grey hydrogen (produced from fossil fuels). The location in the Vallée de la Chimie within the vicinity of major transport routes opens up opportunities for the creation of a more complete hydrogen ecosystem.
The first phase of the project will consist of developing and validating technical concepts, as well as integrating the low-carbon hydrogen production plant into the larger hexamethylene diamine production process.
Considering the high-power scale of the future electrolytic hydrogen production facility, the HyDom project is being developed in close collaboration with RTE (an organization in charge of managing the French power grid), to solve connection issues.
As a priority project for the industry's zero-carbon strategy and for the “France 2030” investment plan, HyDom is supported by the French government and has been presented to the European Commission for public funding.
According to Christelle Rouillé, CEO of Hynamics: “In line with the goals set out in the France 2030 investment plan for a resilient and decarbonized industrial sector, Hynamics is proud to support leading hydrogen-consuming industrialists in their decarbonization efforts.
The scope of the project launched in partnership with DOMO Chemicals reflects Hynamics’ expertise in developing industrial electrolytic hydrogen production projects with a strong environmental impact. In replacing the unit that currently produces hydrogen from natural gas, our project represents an important step towards industrial sovereignty and reaching our climate objectives”.
According to Yves Bonte, CEO of DOMO Chemicals: “The reduction of CO2 emissions remains a major challenge for the industry, and DOMO's low carbon footprint solutions are designed to help customers achieve their own CO2 emission reduction targets.
This joint investment in a low-carbon hydrogen unit to replace the existing natural gas-based production unit will provide the first hydrogen infrastructure in the Lyon area.
This strategic partnership will help us - and hopefully an entire ecosystem in the Vallée de la Chimie - achieve DOMO's ambitious goals for 2030, focused on decarbonization, the use of renewable energy and delivering customer solutions.”
Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Source
