Europees Massagoed Overslagbedrijf (EMO) B.V., a Netherlands-based subsidiary of HES International B.V., which is one of Europe’s dry bulk goods and transhipment companies, and JERA Trading, a Singapore-based major coal trader, have announced they will jointly enter the specialty coal market for the production of silicon for the global solar industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Dutch company will provide transshipment, storage and manufacturing facilities, and expertise at its location in Rotterdam port, while its Singaporean counterpart will provide coal sourcing, transport, and marketing and sales expertise.

In a press release, EMO said that the purification of coal will be executed in a recently refurbished washing and screening facility across a 10 hectare area on its terminal in the Rotterdam port.

“Smartly diversifying our product portfolio of dry bulk commodities is our answer in the current energy transition, where we respond to the demand of our clients. We very much welcome the 5-year contract with JERA Trading, as this underscores our strong position in the market,” said EMO managing director Mathijs Pelsma.

EMO is the largest transshipment terminal in Western Europe for iron ore and coking coal for the European steel industry and steam coal for the European power generation plants.

According to local portal, RTV Rijnmond, the company is now reconverting its business to clean energy technology, after a month earlier the Rotterdam City Council issued a statement about the possibility of banning coal transhipment from the port.

The total banning of coal transhipment, however, may seriously damage the company’s business and compromise its future prospects.

The company said that entering the specialty coal market for the production of silicon metal “already matches its competence and technical equipment.”