Under the MoU, signed on Jan. 16, the companies will work together to develop projects for large-scale ammonia cracking plants using Thyssenkrupp technology, while also exploring opportunities for supplying and shipping clean ammonia from the United Arab Emirates to large-scale cracking facilities worldwide.

Ammonia is an ideal carrier of hydrogen as it is much easier to compress and transport. After arriving at its destination, the ammonia needs to be decomposed, or “cracked,” into hydrogen, before it can be used.

“Countries in Europe, along with many others, depend on green 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 green hydrogen trade at large scale,” said Cord Landsmann, CEO of Thyssenkrupp Uhde.

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, ADNOC executive director, low carbon solutions and international growth directorate, added: “ADNOC’s fast-growing hydrogen business is enabled by the UAE’s abundant and competitive energy reserves. We are committed to strengthening our position as a reliable supplier of lower carbon-intensive energy, creating new revenue streams and growing the global market for hydrogen.”

Energy produced from hydrogen creates only water as a byproduct, with zero emissions of CO_2, thus the gas is regarded as a critical part of the energy transition. Hydrogen can provide energy for hard-to-electrify sectors such as long-haul transport, chemicals, iron and steel, refining, marine fuel and power generation, trucking and power generation. The Hydrogen Council estimates that hydrogen could meet 18% of global energy demand by 2050.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist