Curtin University researchers found that Yara Pilbara is strategically well-placed to lead industrial decarbonisation – if the enabling environment is strengthened.
Producing nearly 40% of Australia’s ammonia supply, Yara Pilbara supports mining, agriculture, and regional economic development through large-scale production of ammonia, a local residential workforce, and substantial local procurement. However, its operations are carbon-intensive, emitting approximately 1.6 Mt CO₂-e per year.
While Yara is pursuing both renewable hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) as decarbonisation options, only CCS can deliver the deep emissions cuts required to help Yara Pilbara to decarbonise rapidly. This case study shows that without supportive decarbonisation policies, Australia risks losing sovereign ammonia production, increasing import reliance, and missing a major decarbonisation opportunity in a hard-to-abate sector.
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