ENGIE Deutschland supports Aglobis in supplying a new sulphur smelting plant

Cologne/Essen - Essen-based Aglobis GmbH is expanding its presence in Germany: The wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co, Ltd, one of the world's most diversified trading, investment and service companies with headquarters in Tokyo and a global network of 125 offices in 61 countries and regions, is planning to build a large logistics terminal in the port of Duisburg. As a marketer of sulphur and sulphuric acid in Europe, Aglobis is relying on ENGIE Deutschland's expertise in the supply of energy and operating resources. Yusuke Sawai, Vice President Strategy & Business Development and General Manager SHEQ at Aglobis, says: "Sulphur is one of the key raw materials for the European industry, especially for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The Aglobis logistics terminal, including the sulphur smelting plant, plays an important role in ensuring long-term supply to the market. We are delighted to have ENGIE Deutschland at our side as a competent and reliable partner for this highly demanding project." In the new plant, solid sulphur delivered by ship via the Rhine is liquefied and then loaded onto trucks, barges or the rail network for onward transportation.

Joint focus on decarbonization

Aglobis and ENGIE Deutschland signed an Early Work Agreement for the project in November 2024 with the intention of developing a technical concept for the Duisburg project and establishing a long-term strategic partnership. Concrete planning will start at the beginning of 2025. The construction phase is planned from 2026, and the first sulphur from the new plant should be available as early as 2027. ENGIE Deutschland's team of experts is working on an energy supply concept for this and will take over the provision of steam and other operating resources for the sulphur smelting plant's processes in future. The aim is to also rely on the electrification of the energy supply and green molecules in the future.

Umalan Gogilan, Key Account Manager and responsible for the project at ENGIE Deutschland, says: "We at ENGIE Deutschland are proud to support Aglobis in the planning, construction and operation of the sulphur smelting plant with our experience and expertise. This green field project is also special for us, as the planning of the plant will focus on the decarbonization of the media right from the start. In this way, we are fulfilling our aim of supporting customers on their path to climate neutrality." The Mitsui Group has set itself the goal of being completely climate-neutral by 2050; Aglobis and ENGIE Deutschland will contribute to this.

Partnership for the future: ENGIE Deutschland and Aglobis have signed an Early Work Agreement for a sulphur smelting plant in the port of Duisburg. The photo shows the existing Aglobis terminal in Rotterdam.