Italy's NextChem Bags Contract for Hydrogen Unit in Vietnam

NextChem, the company of Italy’s Maire SpA focused on green chemistry and energy transition technologies, has secured a contract for a new hydrogen unit in Vietnam.

Through its subsidiary KT Tech, NextChem was awarded the licensing and the process design package (PDP) for a new hydrogen production unit by Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR). The new unit is part of a larger upgrading and expansion project of Dung Quat Refinery in Vietnam, NextChem said in a news release.

KT Tech will design the new hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 22,676 cubic meters per hour, leveraging its proprietary technology. This technology, which is part of NX Reform's hydrogen technology portfolio, enables cost-effective hydrogen production and offers the potential to reduce the carbon footprint by incorporating CO2 capture technology, according to the company.

Once the project reaches the construction phase, KT TECH will also supply proprietary equipment for the steam methane reforming process.

Maire CEO Alessandro Bernini said, “We are proud of this important achievement, which confirms our excellent track-record in upgrading existing production plants to enhance efficiency and achieving lower consumptions, thanks to our leading technological know-how and unparalleled process engineering capabilities”.

Last week, NextChem and KazMunayGas-Aero (KMG Aero) signed an agreement to collaborate on advancing energy transition initiatives, leveraging the company’s proprietary technology portfolio and process engineering capabilities.

According to a separate news release, the initiatives are aimed at contributing to the decarbonization and upgrade of Kazakhstan’s industry and assets, in particular for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and low-carbon hydrogen through carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, as well as for the implementation of circular solutions.

NextChem said it is “poised to drive sustainable innovation” through its proprietary technologies for SAF, such as a solution that transforms waste into chemical resources, as well as solutions for large-scale production of low-carbon hydrogen and methanol from natural gas through CO2 capture. The company also provides circular technologies, including NX Replast, an advanced solution for plastic upcycling.

NextChem KMG Aero will evaluate the feasibility of development initiatives in the country, involving Tecnimont for the assessment of engineering, procurement, and construction activities when projects advance to the execution phase, according to the release.

Bernini said, “As one of the world’s leaders in the energy space, Kazakhstan is a strategic and valuable partner for us. In fact, the combination of the country’s resources with our group’s technologies and engineering know-how represents a unique opportunity to drive the global shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon economy. We are eager to make this journey together”.

Maire S.p.A., a company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, describes itself as the head of a leading international industrial group active in nitrogen, hydrogen and circular carbon, fuels and chemicals, and polymers. It operates with sustainable technology solutions and integrated engineering and construction solutions. Maire Tecnimont Group is present in about 45 countries, has about 50 operating companies and over 9,300 people.

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