tyhssenkrupp Uhde and ADNOC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate a long-term cooperation for the creation of new markets for hydrogen and to advance global value chains. The two parties signed the MoU on January 16, 2023, during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Subject of the agreement is the joint development of an ammonia cracking plant, that is used to extract hydrogen from ammonia after its transportation. The ammonia cracking process is based on the globally established uhde® reformer technology, which is used in over 130 large-scale chemical plants worldwide.
In accordance with the MoU, the companies will jointly develop a large-scale ammonia cracking plant using thyssenkrupp technology. The MoU also includes joint exploration of opportunities in the clean energy value chain. It also envisages exploring the demand for clean ammonia and its transportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to industrial ammonia cracking plants worldwide.
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth Directorate, ADNOC:
"ADNOC's rapidly 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 energy, creating new revenue streams and developing the global market for hydrogen. In doing so, we will work with like-minded partners like thyssenkrupp to deliver concrete solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector."
Martina Merz, CEO thyssenkrupp AG:
"At thyssenkrupp we are actively contributing to all aspects of the green transformation. Together with ADNOC we are taking an important step towards large-scale ammonia cracking and thus enabling the global value chain for green hydrogen. The competencies of thyssenkrupp Uhde are an important building block here. A perfect example of how partnerships can accelerate transformation, and a perfect example of thyssenkrupp technology at the heart of green transformation."
Dr. Cord Landsmann, CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde:
"The countries of Europe, as well as many others, depend on the import of green hydrogen to decarbonize industry and society. Clean ammonia is the best way to transport hydrogen by ship, and together with ADNOC we will provide the final building block for global green hydrogen trade on a large scale."
Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, emphasized:
"We are very pleased about the agreement between ADNOC and thyssenkrupp Uhde within the framework of the German-Emirati energy partnership. The development of large-scale ammonia crackers is an important milestone for the development of a global hydrogen economy, to which thyssenkrupp is contributing with cutting-edge technology from Germany."
Ammonia is Indispensable to the Energy Transformation
Ammonia is an indispensable part of the energy transformation because it can provide energy for sectors difficult to electrify, such as chemicals, iron and steel, long-distance transportation, refining, marine fuels and power generation, truck transportation, and power generation. According to an estimate by the Hydrogen Council, hydrogen will supply 18% of global energy needs by 2050. Ammonia is an excellent hydrogen carrier because it is easy to transport and compress. After transport, ammonia is split into hydrogen at its destination ("cracking") and can then be used in the energy value chain. The only by-product of energy production from hydrogen is water. Ammonia cracking is becoming increasingly relevant for industry growth, as a global expansion of the industry is taking place and there is strong demand from Germany and Europe.
Leading Technologies across the entire Value Chain
In addition to ammonia cracking technologies, thyssenkrupp Uhde offers clean ammonia technologies and ammonia storage solutions that are a key factor in the transition to clean energy. For more than 100 years, thyssenkrupp Uhde has been engineering and constructing chemical plants. As of today, the company has built more than 2,500 plants. The 130 existing ammonia plants are among the largest worldwide and set new industry standards, for example the uhde® dual pressure technology.
