Priced at over RMB 7,900 per ton! The world’s first green ammonia transaction has been completed! What is green ammonia?

Amid the global surge toward carbon peak and carbon neutrality, countries worldwide are actively seeking next-generation energy technologies—and green ammonia has recently emerged as a focal point of international attention. Compared with hydrogen, ammonia boasts clear advantages in storage and transportation, enabling its expansion beyond its traditional role in agricultural fertilizers into the broader energy sector. Dr. Faria from the University of Twente in the Netherlands stated that, as carbon prices rise, green ammonia may become the future king of liquid fuels. So—what exactly is green ammonia? What is its current development status? What are its application scenarios? And is it economically viable? In this edition, we have compiled a curated collection of essential insights on green ammonia—including reports, expert presentations (PPTs), and in-depth research analyses. 01 Green Ammonia and Its Development Status Hydrogen is the primary raw material for ammonia production; thus, ammonia can be color-coded based on the carbon emissions generated during hydrogen production, falling into four categories: Gray ammonia: Produced using conventional fossil fuels (natural gas and coal). Blue ammonia: Hydrogen feedstock is derived from fossil fuels, but carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is applied during hydrogen production. Blue-green ammonia: Methane pyrolysis decomposes methane into hydrogen and solid carbon; the recovered hydrogen—powered by green electricity—is then used to synthesize ammonia. Green ammonia: Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis of water using green electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar power; this hydrogen is then combined with nitrogen from air to synthesize ammonia. Since green ammonia combustion yields only nitrogen and water—without generating carbon dioxide—it is considered a 'zero-carbon' fuel and one of the key clean energy sources for the future. The global green ammonia market remains in its infancy. Globally, the market size was approximately USD 36 million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 5.48 billion by 2030, representing an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 74.8%. YunDao Capital forecasts that global annual green ammonia production will exceed 20 million tons by 2030 and surpass 560 million tons by 2050—accounting for over 80% of total global ammonia output. As of September 2023, more than 60 green ammonia projects have been announced globally, with a combined planned capacity exceeding 35 million tons per year. Overseas projects are concentrated primarily in Australia, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Since 2024, China’s green ammonia industry has advanced rapidly. According to incomplete statistics, over 20 green hydrogen–ammonia projects have progressed this year alone. Companies including Envision Group, PowerChina, State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), and China Energy Investment Corporation are collectively investing nearly RMB 200 billion in green ammonia initiatives—set to unleash massive green ammonia production capacity in the near future. 02 Application Scenarios for Green Ammonia As a clean energy source, green ammonia offers diverse future applications—not only in traditional agricultural and industrial uses, but also in power generation (via co-firing), marine fuel, carbon fixation, and hydrogen storage. 1. Maritime Shipping Maritime shipping accounts for 3–4% of global CO₂ emissions. In 2018, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted an initial greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy, targeting at least a 40% reduction in shipping emissions by 2030 (relative to 2008 levels), and aiming for a 70% reduction by 2050. To achieve deep decarbonization in shipping, replacing fossil fuels with clean alternatives represents the most promising technological pathway. Within the maritime industry, green ammonia is widely regarded as one of the leading candidate fuels for achieving zero-emission shipping. Lloyd’s Register previously projected that ammonia’s share as a marine fuel would rise from 7% to 20% between 2030 and 2050—displacing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and becoming the dominant marine fuel.

The world’s first direct zero-carbon ammonia synthesis method has been unveiled.

Scientists from Australia reported in a recent issue of the journal Science that they have developed a direct zero-carbon ammonia synthesis method—the first of its kind globally. This breakthrough could accelerate green ammonia production and catalyze the emergence of a new green ammonia economy. Ammonia is a vital material for global fertilizer production and plays a crucial role in sustaining worldwide food security. Currently, the mature ‘Haber–Bosch process’ dominates industrial ammonia synthesis. However, this process emits 1.9 tons of CO₂ for every ton of ammonia produced, contributing approximately 1.8% of total global CO₂ emissions. To address this, researchers at Monash University discovered a novel phosphonium-salt-based production process, which promises to overcome the carbon-intensive drawbacks inherent in conventional ammonia manufacturing. The researchers explained that their newly explored direct zero-carbon ammonia synthesis relies on electrochemical nitrogen reduction—a reaction requiring only air, water, and renewable energy, operating under ambient temperature and pressure conditions to produce ammonia. Moreover, this latest study demonstrates the potential for producing both ammonia and fertilizers using renewable energy within modular reactors—small enough to fit inside a refrigerator—making decentralized, on-site implementation feasible at farms or community-level facilities.

AdvanSix gets $47.4M USDA grant for Virginia ammonia expansion

4 days ago

AdvanSix secured a $47.4 million USDA grant to expand ammonia production capacity by 84,000 tons annually at its Virginia facility. The $98.1 million Project CENTURY aims to bolster domestic fertilizer production pending administrative reviews.

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AdvanSix receives $47.4M USDA grant for ammonia expansion

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