Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG): Mitigating Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Thailand

Photo credit: UBE Chemicals (Asia)

CONTEXT

In an effort to boost climate action and incentivize the realization of low-cost emission reduction potentials, the German Government has launched the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG). NACAG is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Its objective is to incentivize the installation and operation of effective nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement technology worldwide. In this way, NACAG aims to promote the climate-friendly transformation of the global nitric acid and caprolactam sector.

OBJECTIVE

To support Thailand in a climate-friendly transformation of the caprolactam production.

APPROACHES

GIZ is implementing the NACAG project in close collaboration with Thailand’s key political partner, the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), as well as with Thai private sector in the caprolactam industry. The NACAG project’s key approaches are:

1. Policy advice: offering strategic counsel to the Government of Thailand and presenting policy recommendations to facilitate the sustained implementation of abatement technology within the caprolactam industry.
2. Technical support: Providing specialized technical guidance and consultancy services to plant operators, focusing on implementing abatement technologies and monitoring systems aimed at transitioning to low carbon solutions.
3. Financial support: offering financial support to the UBE chemicals Asia public company Ltd. to purchase and install N₂O mitigation and monitoring technology.

RESULTS SO FAR

Policy recommendations to support N2O emission reduction from industrial processes have been developed and submitted to the Thai government. GIZ and UBE Chemicals (Asia) signed a grant agreement to support the implementation of secondary nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement technology in UBE’s caprolactam production facilities in Thailand. This technology is expected to significantly reduce N2O emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, from caprolactam production by at least 100,000 tCO2eq/y. The agreement marks a significant step towards Thailand’s dedicated endeavors to phase out N2O emissions from caprolactam production in the coming years, as articulated in the Statement of Understanding (SoU) signed in April 2023. This initiative represents a pivotal stride in abating greenhouse gas emissions within the Industrial Process and Product Use (IPPU) sector, in alignment with the objectives outlined in Thailand’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The NACAG project provides financial and advisory assistance to UBE Chemicals (Asia). The Department of Climate Change and Environment and GIZ will collaboratively monitor the progress of nitrous oxide emission reduction technologies in the caprolactam industry.

FINANCED BY

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

COUNTRY

Thailand

PROJECT PARTNERS

Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)

PROJECT DURATION

31 May 2021 – 12 Dec 2025

MORE INFORMATION

NACAG supports the mitigation of N2O from caprolactam production in Thailand video:

NACAG Website
https://www.nitricacidaction.org/