Yara Acquires SCR Systems Provider H+H

H+H acquisition strengthens Yara’s NOx control reagent and technology portfolio to provide selective catalytic reduction (SCR systems) to ship and plant operators facing increasingly stringent emission requirements

Yara International ASA said it has strengthened its position in emissions control for ships, industrial plants and heavy-duty vehicles with its acquisition of H+H Umwelt-und-Industrietechnik GmbH, which produces Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems for secondary NOx (nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide) reduction in marine and stationary land engines.

Increasingly stringent environmental regulations, including in the U.S. and Europe are imposing tougher NOx reduction standards on cruise ship, container ship and bulk carrier operators, as well as on power plant, waste incinerator and cement plant operators. H+H is currently a leading provider of SCR systems to these shipping and industrial markets. NOx control requirements will come into force in ECAs (emission control areas) across the world’s territorial waters with the implementation of new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.

With the H+H acquisition, Yara will become the only company able to produce both major secondary NOx after-treatment equipment – plus the chemical reagents needed to operate them. In addition to Yara’s existing position in SNCR (selective non-catalytic reduction) technology, the company is complementing its portfolio with the other major after-treatment technology, SCR that reduces emissions to air by over 90%. Such technology developments come on top of Yara’s position as a major actor in the production and supply of urea and ammonia, the nitrogen based reagents for NOx reduction from diesel vehicles, industrial plants and ships.

The deal builds upon Yara Environmental Technologies’ previous developments and strategic investments in recent years. According to Senior Vice-President and Head of Yara’s Industrial Segment, Yves Bonte, “Our proven air pollution abatement solutions are a growing part of our business. This is a major milestone in Yara’s strategy to offer a total NOx emissions control package for industrial plants, ships and heavy-duty vehicles.” 

Compact and fuel efficient, SCR systems are able to achieve more than a 90% reduction in NOx emissions with no increase in fuel consumption or reduction in engine performance – thereby providing a cost-effective compliance to emission requirements. NOx control requirements will, for example, come into force in a North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) from January 2016, according to the United-States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

H+H designs and provides SCR exhaust gas treatment systems for nitrogen oxide emissions control from marine engines and stationary land engines. Founded in 1998, H+H is based in Hargesheim, Germany and currently has over 1,200 installed SCR units around the world.

“Our proven SCR systems are a good match for Yara’s scale in reagent supply and its SNCR Systems expertise. Together, we are even better positioned to help customers around the world achieve their environmental targets in a reliable and cost-effective manner,” says H+H Managing Director, Michael Heck.

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