Ammonia-to-power solutions provider Amogy has announced the first pilot plant deployment of its advanced ammonia cracking catalyst with JGC Holdings Corporation, a global engineering company headquartered in Japan.
The new agreement is a key component of a pilot project designed to advance large-scale ammonia cracking technology for low-carbon hydrogen production. The milestone underscores ammonia’s expanding role as a crucial enabler of the global hydrogen economy.
JGC selected Amogy’s low ruthenium content catalyst for use in its ammonia cracking demonstration project as part of its participation in a broader initiative by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to establish a competitive hydrogen supply chain. In addition to supplying the catalyst, Amogy will provide support to ensure optimal performance and reliability in large-scale operations.
The project aims to develop and optimise a large-scale hydrogen production system using ammonia cracking technology. While small-scale ammonia cracking technologies have been commercialised, expanding energy efficient processes remains a challenge. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap by advancing component technologies and system optimisation. Working alongside partners, JGC will lead the design and development of the large-scale ammonia cracking system.
Seonghoon Woo, CEO and co-founder of Amogy, said: “This first pilot plant deployment of our ammonia cracking catalyst represents a major achievement for Amogy and a breakthrough for the hydrogen industry,. We are proud to contribute to this pioneering project and play a crucial role in the advancement of large-scale hydrogen production using ammonia as a carrier. Our catalyst technology will help improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of ammonia cracking, a key component in building a competitive hydrogen supply chain.”
Masahiro Aika, JGC EVP and Technology Commercialisation Officer, added: “Large scale ammonia cracking technology is one of the last elements to be developed and commercialised to realise clean hydrogen-ammonia supply chain globally at industrial scale. We are excited to collaborate with Amogy to improve JGC’s ammonia cracking process by utilising Amogy’s low ruthenium content catalysts.”
Amogy’s portfolio of ammonia cracking catalysts, including both precious-metal-based and base-metal-based formulations, provides efficient ammonia conversion into hydrogen. These catalysts deliver significantly higher activity compared to other commercial offerings, enabling increased hydrogen production rates at much lower operating temperatures. Available through licensing or direct sales, Amogy’s catalysts provide a scalable and reliable solution to meet the diverse needs of the clean energy sector.
By 2030, the JGC project aims to enable the large-scale deployment of hydrogen production from ammonia, aligning with Japan’s national strategy to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a key energy source. This initiative underscores the growing global commitment to leveraging ammonia as a practical and efficient hydrogen carrier, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
Image: Amogy and JGC agreement (source: Amogy/Business Wire)
