Paris, France — Air Liquide has officially launched the world’s first industrial-scale ammonia cracking pilot unit, marking a historic milestone for the global hydrogen economy. Located at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, the new facility features an impressive 30-tons-per-day ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion capacity, proving that large-scale ammonia cracking is not only technically feasible but ready for industrial adoption. This achievement addresses one of the most critical missing technological links in the development of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen supply chains.
For years, the hydrogen sector has struggled with the challenge of transporting hydrogen efficiently over long distances. While hydrogen is a cornerstone of global energy transition strategies, its low volumetric density makes storage and transport costly and complex. Ammonia (NH₃), produced by combining hydrogen with nitrogen, has emerged as a highly practical hydrogen carrier. It can be generated economically in regions rich in renewable power, such as solar, wind, and hydro, before being shipped across the globe using existing large-scale ammonia infrastructure. Once delivered, advanced ammonia cracking technologies—such as the one developed by Air Liquide—enable the clean conversion of ammonia back into hydrogen, offering a scalable pathway for industries aiming to decarbonize manufacturing, chemicals, heavy transport, and mobility.
Air Liquide’s new pilot unit integrates multiple proprietary technologies designed to push the boundaries of industrial hydrogen production. The project incorporates innovations in process safety, high-performance materials testing, next-generation catalytic systems for efficient ammonia cracking, optimized ammonia combustion technology, and advanced molecular separation techniques that improve hydrogen purity. Demonstrating these technologies at industrial scale is a major step forward for the company, highlighting its ability to transform scientific research into robust, real-world solutions that support clients in building reliable, large-scale low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure.
The commissioning of this facility also strengthens Air Liquide’s strategic commitment to accelerating the deployment of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen worldwide. By validating industrial-scale ammonia cracking, the company provides the missing technological component required to establish global supply chains capable of transporting clean hydrogen from energy-rich regions to major consumption centers in Europe, Asia, and beyond. This breakthrough supports the development of world-scale ammonia cracking plants in the future, enabling industries to access hydrogen at competitive costs while meeting increasingly strict climate targets.
Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee overseeing Innovation, Technology, and Hydrogen Energy activities, emphasized the significance of this achievement:
“The commissioning of our ammonia cracking pilot unit in Antwerp is more than a technological success—it is a major step toward shaping the future of global hydrogen supply. As the first industrial-scale demonstration of its kind, this unit opens the door to new low-carbon hydrogen value chains that will support the decarbonization needs of industry and mobility. It illustrates Air Liquide’s ability to innovate, scale breakthrough technologies, and deliver practical solutions that contribute to the global energy transition. I am immensely proud of the dedication and expertise of all our teams who made this world first possible.”
With this milestone, Air Liquide reinforces its leadership in hydrogen innovation, advancing the technologies required to accelerate global decarbonization and build a more resilient, sustainable energy system.