Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed a deal with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Uhde, which specialises in chemical engineering, to develop large-scale ammonia cracking plants. 

The memorandum of understanding with the subsidiary of Thyssenkrupp Group is part of a strategy to create new markets for hydrogen and promote global clean energy value chains. Thyssenkrupp Uhde develops petrochemical, fertilizer, coking and polymere plants. 

Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to develop commercial-scale ammonia cracking facilities. It will also lead to the exploration of opportunities in the clean energy value chain for the supply and shipment of low-carbon or green ammonia from the UAE to large-scale plants globally. 

Ammonia is a carrier of hydrogen, and it is much easier to compress and transport. When shipped, after reaching its destination, the ammonia needs to be decomposed or cracked into hydrogen before it can be used in the energy value chain. 

“Countries in Europe, along with many others, are looking to clean hydrogen imports to decarbonize industry and society. Clean ammonia is the best way to transport hydrogen by ship, and together with ADNOC, we will deliver the last piece of the puzzle for global clean hydrogen trade at large scale,” said Cord Landsmann, CEO of Thyssenkrupp Uhde. 

In May 2021, ADNOC announced a low-carbon ammonia production facility at the TA’ZIZ industrial ecosystem and chemicals hub. It has significantly expanded its energy partnerships across the hydrogen and shipped demonstration cargoes of low-carbon ammonia to customers in Germany and Asia to test its application. 

(Reporting by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)