Air Liquide's Bold Step: Low-Carbon Hydrogen from Ammonia in Antwerp by 2025
Antwerp, Friday, 20 December 2024.
Air Liquide is pioneering low-carbon hydrogen production in Antwerp using ammonia, aligning with European climate goals. This project could revolutionize the hydrogen market, cutting emissions significantly.
Groundbreaking Project Details
I’m excited to share that Air Liquide has secured a substantial US$115 million grant from the European Innovation Fund for their innovative Enhance project [2]. The project centers around building a first-of-its-kind large-scale ammonia cracking facility in the port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium [1][2]. What makes this particularly interesting is the timing - scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, this facility will be at the forefront of Europe’s transition to low-carbon hydrogen [1].
Environmental Impact and Technology
The environmental benefits are remarkable - by replacing natural gas with ammonia as a feedstock, this project is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 300,000 tonnes annually [2]. The current cost landscape shows hydrogen from electrolytic ammonia delivered to Northwest Europe at $7.99/kg, compared to $8.82/kg for locally produced renewable hydrogen in the Netherlands [1]. What’s fascinating is how the technology works, though it faces an energy efficiency challenge with approximately 17% energy loss during the conversion process [1].
Strategic Infrastructure Development
One aspect that particularly interests me is the strategic location. The facility’s positioning in Antwerp is crucial, as current logistics limit the effective range of ammonia cracking to within 250-300 kilometers of major ports [1]. The timing is perfect too - this aligns with the upcoming European regulations on ammonia cracking, set for February 2025, which will require operators to provide negotiated access to their facilities [1].
Market Impact and Future Outlook
Looking at the broader picture, this project represents a significant step in Europe’s hydrogen strategy. The facility will support various industries, including refineries, chemicals, heavy-duty road transport, maritime transport, and aviation [2]. What’s particularly encouraging is that ammonia can be produced with a low-carbon footprint in regions with abundant renewable energy sources like sun, water, and wind [2]. This project could set a precedent for future hydrogen infrastructure development across Europe [GPT].