Saudi Aramco and Linde Engineering Collaborate on New Ammonia Cracking Technology

Global integrated energy and chemicals company, Aramco, and leading gases producer and processor, Linde Engineering, announced a joint agreement to develop a new ammonia cracking technology. The partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies in the fields of industrial research and development, lower-carbon hydrogen, and ammonia cracking technology.

The collaboration between Aramco and Linde Engineering aims to build a demonstration plant in northern Germany to showcase the new technology, with Linde Engineering offering the technology to existing and future customers. This move is expected to create new commercial opportunities in the global lower-carbon energy supply chain, bridging the gap between domestic renewable energy production and total energy demand.

One of the potential differentiators of this new technology is the ammonia cracking catalyst developed jointly by Aramco and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The effectiveness of this catalyst will be evaluated against other catalysts.

Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Aramco, said that the collaboration is part of their ongoing efforts to establish a commercially viable lower-carbon hydrogen supply chain. He added that the advanced ammonia cracking technology developed in partnership with Linde Engineering will play a key role in realizing their objectives.

John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Technology at Linde Engineering, said that effective ammonia cracking technology is crucial to meet the world's urgent need for decarbonization. He also expressed excitement in working closely with Aramco to develop and commercialize this important technology, creating new business opportunities for both companies.