The future role of ammonia
New applications for ammonia are particularly interesting in the context of the energy transition, as the chemical has the potential to be used as a carbon-free energy commodity. Specifically, ammonia is emerging as an alternative fuel for maritime transport and power generation. Furthermore, ammonia can also be used as a hydrogen carrier given its ease of transport and storage.By 2050, the global demand for ammonia is expected to reach 470 million metric tons, with agriculture and industry still taking the lead among ammonia applications. However, shipping fuel is also forecast to be a major driver for ammonia demand in 2050, at 182 million metric tons. Overall, it is estimated that new applications will account for a roughly half of ammonia demand in 2050.
Gray, blue, and green ammonia
The most commonly used industrial procedure to produce ammonia is the Haber-Bosch process, which consists of the reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen at high pressure and temperature using a catalyst. This is an energy-intensive process with a high carbon footprint. In fact, ammonia production is one of the chemical processes with the highest greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.When the hydrogen used in the process is sourced from fossil fuels, the ammonia produced is referred to as gray ammonia. On the other hand, blue ammonia combines traditional ammonia synthesis with carbon capture and storage, while green ammonia is generated only from renewable sources. Today, ammonia is almost exclusively produced from fossil fuels, although the market for clean ammonia is expected to grow rapidly in the upcoming years. By 2050, clean ammonia is forecast to account for the largest supply share of the chemical. In particular, green ammonia is expected to account for more than 40 percent. In 2021, the green ammonia market generated a revenue of some 16.8 million U.S. dollars and it was expected to reach roughly 4.8 billion dollars in 2030.
