Todays Global Intelligence: 20 October 2026

Ammonia production: Japan. Japan will loan India’s AM Green Ammonia $100m to develop its 1.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) green hydrogen-based ammonia plant in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Currently under construction, the Kakinada plant is due to begin producing 0.5 mtpa by 2027 before scaling up to its nameplate 1.5 mtpa capacity. It recently won a €585m ($664m) H2Global contract to supply green hydrogen-based ammonia volumes to the European market for a decade, and also has offtake deals with German firms Uniper and RWE. Link 20/10/2026.

Biofuels: Indonesia. Indonesia is preparing to gradually increase ethanol blending in petrol to E50 by 2028 as part of efforts to reduce gasoline imports and strengthen domestic energy security, To secure feedstock supplies, the government has identified potential cultivation areas across Java, Sumatra and Papua. The estimated land requirements include one million hectares for cassava, 1.1 million hectares for sugarcane and another one million hectares for corn. Link 20/10/2026.

Biomaterials: France. Michelin is moving closer to large-scale production of bio-based resins with a new industrial production line in northern France. The project uses fermentation to produce a bio-based aromatic molecule that can be used in Michelin’s next-generation resins. The company says the technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from producing the molecule by up to 96% compared with fossil-based alternatives. The resins are being developed for a range of industries, including construction, furniture, automotive, aerospace, electronics and transportation. Link 20/10/2026.

Feedstock: New Zealand. EECA is contributing $9.7M in funding to expand the wood fuel supply capabilities of eight wood fuel suppliers. Once operational, five of the sites will have a combined capacity to process 200,000 tonnes per year of wood chip fuel – enough to supply around 2 petajoules (PJ) of energy annually or meet the annual fuel demand of around 10–20 industrial businesses like dairy and meat processors, food manufacturers, or laundries. $6million of funding support for an additional three wood fuel manufacturers of torrefied biomass and white wood pellets could produce over half a million tonnes of wood fuel annually. That’s the energy equivalent of an around 10PJs, or close to a quarter of industrial gas demand. Link 20/10/2026.

Hydrogen: India. India’s top power producer NTPC is in talks with potential buyers in Japan, South Korea and Germany for green ammonia and other low-carbon fuels. These talks with prospective overseas customers are occurring as it develops a proposed green hydrogen hub in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Link 20/10/2026.