The Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG) project in Thailand – implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – together with the NACAG secretariat, is preparing to enter into a financing agreement with Thailand’s only nitric acid plant, Thai Nitrate Co., Ltd. (TNC) in Rayong, for nitrous oxide (N₂O) abatement technology. A study to recommend policy and regulatory options for N₂O phaseout, along with monitoring and reporting modalities to track the progress of N₂O reduction under NACAG as part of the country’s efforts to address global climate change in line with Thailand’s NDCs, is also being conducted.

The NACAG project in Thailand arranged a courtesy meeting with Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) on 13 December 2021, to share progress and highlight the excellent cooperation under the project. Project staff accompanied by representatives from the German Embassy Bangkok and ONEP also made a site visit to the TNC plant in Rayong province where an introductory plant tour, as well as a technical exchange on abatement technology options and upcoming steps of cooperation, was arranged. 

Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Secretary-General of Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) said at the opening of courtesy meeting: “It is widely known that N₂O is a highly potent greenhouse gas, so it is very good to have the NACAG project supporting and cooperating with Thailand in order to permanently and substantially reduce N₂O emissions from the country’s nitric acid production through an effective climate technology against climate change.”

Dr. Angkana Chalermpong, Director of NACAG Thailand said: “NACAG is a global initiative launched by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), which provides its partner countries including Thailand with relevant support, including policy advice, technical consultancy, and financial support to purchase and install advanced N₂O abatement technology. Thailand signed the Statement of Undertaking (SoU) on NACAG in April 2021, which expresses the Thai government’s commitment to phasing out N₂O emissions from 2024 onwards. Currently, the NACAG project in Thailand, in close collaboration with the NACAG secretariat and ONEP, is working towards Thailand’s private sector engagement and is conducting an in-depth analysis of policy options and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) mechanisms, in line with the national reporting methodology and climate targets.”

Addressing the NACAG missions and next steps of implementation, Mr. Malte Plewa, Advisor, NACAG Secretariat said: “NACAG is now in contact with around 30 countries worldwide, 8 of which, including Thailand, have committed by signing SoU to the climate-friendly transformation of the nitric acid sector. Only one nitric acid production facility in Thailand is eligible to receive support for N₂O abatement through NACAG, namely TNC with approximately 180,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year. After the finalisation of due diligence in both technical and commercial aspects, a grant agreement between NACAG and TNC will be signed, followed by the technology procurement, installation, and operation. Furthermore, in line with the Thai government’s interest, the potential extension of NACAG’s scope of work to Thailand’s caprolactam industry is being examined through a feasibility study at only one facility in Thailand, UBE Chemicals (Asia) PLC., in Rayong province over the period 15-17 December 2021.”