Air Liquide Achieves World First in Industrial-Scale Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Conversion, Advancing Low-Carbon Energy Supply
Paris, France – November 13, 2025 — Air Liquide, a global leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare, has announced the successful start-up of the world’s first industrial-scale ammonia cracking pilot unit. Located at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, this pioneering facility boasts a capacity to convert 30 tons of ammonia per day into hydrogen, marking a significant breakthrough in sustainable energy technology and the global hydrogen economy.
Unlocking New Pathways for Low-Carbon Hydrogen Supply
Hydrogen is widely recognized as a critical fuel for decarbonizing industries and mobility sectors worldwide. However, transporting hydrogen efficiently over long distances remains a major challenge. Ammonia (NH3), composed of hydrogen and nitrogen, offers a promising solution as a hydrogen carrier. It can be produced cost-effectively in regions rich in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, and benefits from an already well-established global infrastructure for large-scale production, transport, and utilization.
Air Liquide’s innovative technology enables ammonia produced in energy-abundant areas to be shipped globally and then “cracked” back into hydrogen at the destination. This breakthrough pilot plant not only demonstrates the feasibility of such a process at an industrial scale but also paves the way for the development of commercial-scale ammonia cracking facilities that can supply low-carbon and renewable hydrogen worldwide.
Cutting-Edge Innovations and Safety Features
The project showcases Air Liquide’s proprietary advances across several critical areas including:
- Process Safety Measures: Ensuring secure operations at industrial capacity.
- Material Testing: Validating the durability and performance of components.
- Advanced Catalysis: Enhancing the efficiency of ammonia cracking reactions.
- Ammonia Combustion Management: Controlling emissions and energy recovery.
- Molecular Separation Technologies: Purifying hydrogen to meet strict industrial standards.
These innovations affirm Air Liquide’s expertise in scaling up technologies from laboratory research to real-world industrial applications, delivering first-of-their-kind solutions to customers and stakeholders.
Leadership Statement
Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee responsible for Innovation, Technology, and Hydrogen Energy activities, commented on the milestone:
"The commissioning of our ammonia cracking pilot unit in Antwerp is a key milestone. This is a world’s first which paves the way for new low-carbon hydrogen supply chains. By proving the viability of industrial-scale ammonia cracking, Air Liquide demonstrates its capacity to innovate and provide concrete solutions for its customers, contributing significantly to the Energy Transition. I am immensely proud of the work and commitment of all our teams who made this achievement possible."
Partnership and Support
This milestone project received support from the Flemish Government through VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), underscoring the public-private collaboration essential for advancing sustainable technologies.
About Air Liquide
Founded in 1902, Air Liquide operates in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees and serves more than 4 million customers and patients worldwide. The company is at the forefront of developing innovative technologies to support cleaner energy systems and more sustainable industrial processes.
Contact Information
For further details, media inquiries can be directed to:
- Christel des Royeries, Director of External Communications: media@airliquide.com
- Ophélie Godard, Media Relations: media@airliquide.com
- Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 40 62 51 50, irteam@airliquide.com
This groundbreaking achievement by Air Liquide offers a tangible pathway to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy vector, unlocking the potential of ammonia as a global hydrogen carrier and marking a pivotal step toward the decarbonization of industries and transportation worldwide.
