• In Antwerp, a unique pilot ammonia cracking unit has emerged. More than a technological feat, it is the culmination of genuine teamwork in service of the energy transition. This unit, now operational, will make it possible to convert ammonia into hydrogen on an industrial scale, and paves the way for new low-carbon supply chains.

At the heart of the construction site in Antwerp. At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the ballet of technicians and the humming of machines give the pulse of the construction site. It's a world’s first coming to life, and proof that the future of energy is already underway in Europe.

Every day, men and women contribute to the progress of the construction site by assembling the technological building blocks necessary for this innovative process. Several key players are involved in making this emblematic low-carbon energy project a reality.

From R&D to the plant. This successful transition from the laboratory to the industrial site is the result of collaborative work. The Air Liquide teams unanimously confirm this: It is this synergy between R&D, Engineering and Operations teams that has made it possible to transform a vision into an industrial reality.

Nicolas Ramenatte, Head of the Materials Integrity team at the Air Liquide Campus Innovation Paris, emphasizes the international dimension of the project, mentioning the "very strong team spirit" that allowed entities from several countries to unite towards the same goal.

Pointing to the running installations, Ilona Clabaut, site commissioning supervisor, emphasizes: "This is a world first at this scale. With a conversion capacity of 30 tons per day, this unit marks a major milestone." The enthusiasm is palpable. The ongoing tests will gather essential data to develop even larger units, she specifies.

“This unit is the cornerstone of the development of ammonia cracking technology” explains Michael Lutz, Senior Process Engineer at Air Liquide.

Felix Cock, Energy Transition Technology Manager at Air Liquide, confirms: "We are working to scale up this pilot plant as part of the Enhance project, which includes a large-scale ammonia cracker and an innovative hydrogen liquefier."

Ammonia: The key link for large-scale hydrogen transport. Ammonia (NH₃) is now identified as an essential vector for the import and production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. In Antwerp, the process implemented makes it possible to extract hydrogen (H₂) and nitrogen (N₂) from ammonia using heat and a catalyst. This is achieved without CO₂ emissions at the end of the cycle.

Its main advantage? It addresses the major challenge of hydrogen: transport. Ammonia is indeed an effective medium for shipping this volatile molecule over long distances, anywhere in the world. And the infrastructure already exists: every year, 25 MMt of ammonia circulate globally, through transport and storage networks that are already operational.

A priority objective: Decarbonizing hydrogen production. The ammonia unit, installed in the heart of the Antwerp basin —a strategic industrial hub— is the cornerstone of a new global hydrogen logistics chain. As Felix Cock explains, the project aims to "unlock a new technology, a new process to supply renewable and low-carbon hydrogen" to customers in the chemicals, petrochemicals and heavy-duty mobility sectors.

This technological breakthrough marks a turning point. It paves the way for a model where ammonia, produced in regions rich in renewable energy, would be transported to major industrial hubs. There, it would be converted into renewable hydrogen. "By developing ammonia cracking, we are moving closer to a carbon-neutral economy," concludes Felix Cock.

With this project, Air Liquide demonstrates the viability of industrial-scale ammonia cracking. This testifies to its ability to innovate and provide concrete solutions to its customers while contributing to the energy transition.