Australian metal mining company Fortescue Ltd and Moroccan fertilizer producer OCP Group have received approval from the Kingdom’s Competition Council to create a joint venture. This partnership will establish a large-scale renewable energy, green hydrogen, and ammonia production hub in Morocco.
The equally owned joint venture was approved by the Moroccan regulator during a meeting held on July 24.
According to an April press release by OCP, the partnership aims to supply green hydrogen, ammonia, and fertilizers to Morocco, Europe, and international markets.
OCP Group and Fortescue plan to establish a large-scale integrated green ammonia and fertilizer production capacity. This includes renewable energy generation, electrolysis, ammonification, fertilizer production, and green manufacturing capabilities.
The venture also plans to establish an R&D and Technology Hub near Marrakech, alongside Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). This hub will support the joint venture, the broader ecosystem, and other players by conducting research in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and mineral processing. Additionally, the partners will collaborate through their corporate venture capital funds to drive investment in key technological advancements.
Through this collaboration, OCP and Fortescue aim to supply green hydrogen and ammonia for use as both green energy sources and in the production of carbon-neutral and customized fertilizers. These fertilizers will be accessible and affordable for farmers worldwide, according to OCP.