Uniper and thyssenkrupp Uhde have announced a strategic partnership aimed at developing ammonia cracking technology to industrial scale, a critical component in establishing a global hydrogen economy. This collaboration will begin with the construction of a demonstration plant at Uniper’s site in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven, Germany. The facility, which will have a processing capacity of 28 tons of ammonia per day, is one of the first of its kind and will serve as a foundation for a future large-scale hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven, northwestern Germany.

Ammonia cracking involves breaking down ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen at high temperatures through a catalytic process. The hydrogen is then purified for industrial use. This technology offers a promising solution for importing hydrogen efficiently and at scale, especially since ammonia, with its higher volumetric energy density and easier transportability, can serve as an ideal hydrogen carrier.

The overarching goal of the partnership is to facilitate the conversion of imported ammonia into hydrogen for use across various industries, including energy, steel, and chemicals. This effort not only enhances energy security but also supports the decarbonization of energy-intensive sectors. By leveraging global ammonia transport networks, green or low-carbon hydrogen can be delivered cost-effectively from production sites worldwide.

Holger Kreetz, COO of Uniper, emphasized the significance of this partnership in building a resilient and sustainable energy system. He stated that hydrogen imports are essential to meet Germany’s future demand, and the ammonia cracker at Scholven will be a key step toward international hydrogen trade and multi-sector availability.

Nadja Håkansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, highlighted the strong synergy between Uniper’s energy market expertise and thyssenkrupp’s leadership in ammonia technology. Together, they aim to deliver a safe, efficient, and reliable cracker plant with optimized lifecycle performance.

The project has received funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to develop innovative components for the demonstration plant. Both companies are also making substantial financial contributions. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, noted that this initiative strengthens the region’s industrial sustainability by enabling access to green energy from global sources.

With successful lab-scale testing completed, the demo cracker represents the next phase in scaling up ammonia cracking technology. Construction at the Scholven site is underway, with full commissioning targeted for late 2026. The data gathered from its operation will be crucial for optimizing and expanding the technology to full industrial scale.