Air Liquide announces the construction of an industrial scale ammonia cracking pilot plant in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. When transformed into ammonia, H₂ can be easily transported over long distances. Using innovative technology, this plant will make it possible to convert, with an optimized carbon footprint, ammonia into H₂. With this cracking technology, Air Liquide will further contribute to the development of H₂ as a key enabler of the energy transition.

Ammonia—a molecule made of H₂ and nitrogen—can be used as an energy carrier. It can be produced with a low-carbon footprint from H₂ in geographies with abundant renewable energy sources such as sun, water and wind, or other low-carbon power. A global supply chain infrastructure is already in place for its production, transportation and utilization at large scale to serve various industries. This allows regions with abundant renewable energy to export ammonia to end users across the globe, where it can be converted back to H₂ to contribute to the decarbonization of industry and mobility.

The innovative pilot plant, which combines a novel efficient process with Air Liquide’s proprietary technologies, is planned to be operational in 2024. The Flemish Government, through the VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), has confirmed a financial support to the project.

For over 60 years, Air Liquide has mastered H₂ from production, transport, storage and distribution to its final usages. Within the context of its ADVANCE strategic plan, the group is committed to investing globally approximately €8 B in the low-carbon H₂ value chain by 2035.

Michael J. Graff, Executive Vice President, Air Liquide Group, said, “Ammonia cracking complements Air Liquide’s already thorough portfolio of H₂ technologies and adds yet another technological solution to enable the development of a H₂ global market. More than ever, the Group is committed to making H₂ a key element of the fight against climate change, in particular for the decarbonization of heavy industry and mobility.”