Johnson Matthey and thyssenkrupp Uhde join forces to offer an integrated solution for blue ammonia technology

• Johnson Matthey and thyssenkrupp Uhde to combine expertise to offer integrated technology to produce low-carbon (blue) ammonia that is more climate-friendly than current production methods.
• Demand for ammonia is growing because it’s easier to store and transport than pure hydrogen and is key to decarbonizing the world’s power, shipping, and industrial processes.

Johnson Matthey (JM) and thyssenkrupp Uhde announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly offer a fully integrated low-carbon (blue) ammonia solution, building on a nearly 25-yr ammonia relationship between the companies.

In the drive to reduce CO₂ emissions, the role of ammonia has expanded from a vital ingredient used to produce fertiliser for the agricultural sector, to a decarbonized carrier and supplier of hydrogen energy that’s easier to store and transport than pure hydrogen.  The movement of low carbon ammonia can utilize existing infrastructure making it a leading energy transition solution that’s ready to capture, store, and ship vast quantities of hydrogen for use in the power and shipping sector, and industrial value chains globally.

By joining forces thyssenkrupp Uhde and JM can access the blue ammonia market together offering proven technologies combining the uhde^® ammonia process and JM’s hydrogen expertise through its LCH^TM technology, which will enable the production of blue ammonia with up to 99% CO₂ capture.

thyssenkrupp Uhde has licensed, engineered, or constructed over 130 ammonia plants worldwide since 1928 and is market leading in plants greater than 3,000 tpd with its unique uhde^® dual pressure technology. JM’s LCH technology, which utilizes JM’s autothermal reformer alone, or in conjunction with JM’s gas heated reformer, has been selected for several of the world’s first large scale blue hydrogen projects including bp’s H2Teesside, a 700-megawatt low carbon hydrogen production plant, and the H2H Saltend project with Equinor and Linde for a 600-megawatt low carbon hydrogen production plant.

Global demand for ammonia is estimated to increase to more than 600 MMt by 2050 due to the new demands from shipping and power generation markets. Low carbon ammonia is predicted to meet two-thirds of the demand by 2050 with many countries around the world setting decarbonization targets. This could mean an estimated market size for low carbon ammonia of over $200 B by 2050.

Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director – Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey, said: “We know multiple routes are needed in the energy transition, and ammonia provides several options because it can be used directly in power and shipping industries, and as a hydrogen carrier to safely transport hydrogen to areas it is not easy to produce. “Combining our expertise and over two decades worth of partnership with thyssenkrupp Uhde, we are excited to offer this technology which will allow our customers to produce ammonia with significantly lower CO2 emissions."

Lucretia Löscher, COO thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “At thyssenkrupp Uhde, we are committed to our purpose, ‘we create a livable planet’. With this strong partnership we further broaden our portfolio of climate-friendly solutions and can help our customers even better to reach their sustainability goals.”

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