Name of the Project
Ammonia cracker demonstration plant.

Location
Gelsenkirchen-Scholven, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Project Owner/s
Uniper and thyssenkrupp Uhde have formed a strategic partnership to commercialise ammonia cracking technology.

Project Description
The project entails the development of one of the world’s first industrial-scale ammonia cracker demonstration plants.

Ammonia cracking technology is regarded as the missing element for a functioning global hydrogen infrastructure. It has a significantly higher energy density by volume and is easier to transport than pure hydrogen, making it ideally suited as a carrier medium. If low-carbon hydrogen is converted directly into ammonia at the production site, this infrastructure can be easily used. Cracking allows for the hydrogen to be reconverted at the destination and used in a climate-friendly way.

The demonstration facility will have a capacity of 28 t/d of ammonia and will serve as a pilot for large-scale commercial use at Uniper’s planned hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven, north-western Germany. The aim is to allow for the conversion of imported ammonia into hydrogen on an industrial scale, providing a secure, sustainable supply of hydrogen for energy-intensive industries, including energy, steel and chemicals.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not confirmed. The project is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, with additional investment from Uniper and thyssenkrupp 
Uhde.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction has started at Uniper’s Gelsenkirchen-Scholven power plant site. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2026.

Latest Developments
All required approvals for the construction and operation of the demonstration plant have been obtained.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Uniper, tel +49 211 4579 0 or email info@uniper.energy.
thyssenkrupp Uhde, tel +49 231 547 0 or email info.tuh@thyssenkrupp.com.