The initiative aligns with EU RED III objectives by enabling access to low-carbon hydrogen.

The technology uses unique reactor tubes and heat integration to maximize energy efficiency, achieving high conversion with zero direct CO2 emissions.

Overall, this development marks a step toward new low-carbon hydrogen supply chains and supports the energy transition.

The Antwerp-Bruges pilot unit is the world’s first industrial-scale facility able to convert ammonia into hydrogen at 30 tons per day.

Ammonia serves as a practical hydrogen carrier for long-distance transport, with the process cracking it back into hydrogen at the destination.

Air Liquide has unveiled an industrial-scale pilot that converts ammonia into hydrogen, enabling low-carbon supply chains for industry and mobility by solving hydrogen transport challenges.

The pilot demonstrates ammonia cracking at scale to provide renewable, low-carbon hydrogen for decarbonizing industry and mobility sectors.

The Flemish Government, via VLAIO, supported the project, underscoring regional public backing for developing this technology.

The project showcases Air Liquide’s ability to scale laboratory research into industrial applications and to deliver first-of-their-kind solutions for clients.

Innovations span process safety, material testing, catalysis, ammonia cracking, ammonia combustion, and molecule separation as part of the project.

This pilot paves the way for larger, industrial-scale ammonia cracking plants globally under Air Liquide’s ENHANCE initiative, which includes a big cracker and hydrogen liquefier in Antwerp and EU Green Innovation Fund support.

Armelle Levieux of Air Liquide described the commissioning as a milestone and proof of viable industrial-scale ammonia cracking.

She emphasized the Antwerp pilot as a world-first milestone that accelerates low-carbon hydrogen supply chains.