Ammonia is well known as a fertilizer and is currently used in many industries, including the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, but its potential does not stop there. It may also become a fuel that, along with hydrogen, which is currently widely sought after, can contribute to the decarbonization of transportation, especially maritime transportation.

In view of the many advantages of ammonia, especially “green ammonia” produced by renewable energy, such as no carbon dioxide production, abundant sources, and low liquefaction temperature, many international giants have joined the competition for industrial production of “green ammonia“. However, ammonia as a sustainable fuel still has some difficulties to overcome, such as scaling up production and dealing with its toxicity.

Giants compete to develop “green ammonia”

There is also a problem with ammonia being a sustainable fuel. Currently, ammonia is mainly produced from fossil fuels, and scientists hope to produce “green ammonia” from renewable resources to be truly sustainable and carbon-free.
Spain’s “Absai” website pointed out in a recent report that in view of the fact that “green ammonia” may have a very bright future, the competition for industrial scale production has been launched on a global scale.

The well-known chemical giant Yara is actively deploying “green ammonia” production, and plans to build a sustainable ammonia plant with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons in Norway. The company has previously cooperated with French electric company Engie to use solar power to produce hydrogen at its existing plant in Pilbara, northwest Australia, to make hydrogen react with nitrogen, and the “green ammonia” produced by renewable energy will begin in 2023 Trial production. Spain’s Fetiveria company also plans to produce more than 1 million tons of “green ammonia” per year at its plant in Puertollano, and plans to build another “green ammonia” plant with the same capacity in Palos-De la Frontera. Ammonia” factory. Spain’s Ignis Group plans to build a “green ammonia” plant in the Port of Seville.

Saudi NEOM Company plans to build the world’s largest “green ammonia” production facility in 2026. When completed, the facility is expected to produce 1.2 million tons of “green ammonia” annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5 million tons.

“Absai” stated that if “green ammonia” can overcome the various difficulties it faces, people are expected to see the first batch of ammonia-fueled trucks, tractors and ships in the next 10 years. At present, companies and universities are researching the application technology of ammonia fuel, and even the first batch of prototype equipment has appeared.

According to a report on the US “Technology Times” website on the 10th, Amogy, headquartered in Brooklyn, USA, revealed that it expects to display the first ammonia-powered ship in 2023 and fully commercialize it in 2024. The company said this would be a major achievement towards zero-emission shipping.

there are still difficulties to overcome

Ammonia‘s path to fueling ships and trucks has not been smooth, though. As Det Norske Veritas put it in a report: “Several difficulties must first be overcome.”

First of all, the supply of fuel ammonia must be ensured. About 80% of the ammonia produced globally is used as fertilizer today. Therefore, while meeting this agricultural demand, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to double or even triple ammonia production to fuel marine fleets and heavy trucks around the world. Second, the toxicity of ammonia is also a concern. Spanish energy transition expert Rafael Gutierrez explained that ammonia is used to make fertilizer and is used as a refrigerant on some ships, operated by some very professional and experienced personnel. If people expand its use to fuel ships and trucks, more people will be exposed to ammonia and the potential for problems will be greater.