JGC partners with Amogy on large-scale ammonia cracking

Japan’s JGC Holdings Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based startup Amogy to deploy its proprietary low-ruthenium catalyst in the development of large-scale ammonia cracking technology. The partnership is expected to accelerate JGC’s efforts to reduce the cost of hydrogen production by improving process efficiency.

Founded in 2020 by four MIT PhD alumni in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.,, Amogy’s mission is to unlock ammonia’s potential as a clean energy source, accelerating the global journey to net zero and sustaining future generations.

The initiative forms part of Japan’s broader strategy to establish a competitive hydrogen supply chain and supports a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) project launched in 2023. JGC, together with Kubota and Taiyo Nippon Sanso, is developing technology to extract hydrogen from ammonia via thermal decomposition, targeting an output of 100,000 tonnes per annum. JGC is responsible for designing the entire system, including the cracking furnace.

The use of Amogy’s low-ruthenium catalyst is expected to increase efficiency at lower temperatures and reduce capital expenditure, thus enhancing the commercial viability of hydrogen derived from ammonia. JGC plans to begin front-end engineering design for a demonstration plant within fiscal year 2025.

Masahiro Aika, executive vice president and technology commercialisation officer at JGC, said the ammonia cracking process is one of the final hurdles to building an industrial-scale hydrogen-ammonia supply chain. He welcomed the collaboration with Amogy as a strategic step forward in that vision.

Seonghoon Woo, chief executive and co-founder of Amogy, described the pilot deployment of their catalyst as a milestone for the company and a breakthrough in the hydrogen sector. He emphasised that improving the economics of ammonia cracking is key to enabling global hydrogen distribution.

JGC’s investment in AP Ventures Fund III, a UK-based venture capital fund specialising in hydrogen, ammonia and CCUS technologies, was instrumental in fostering the relationship with Amogy. The collaboration underscores JGC’s commitment to working with technology innovators to support decarbonisation and achieve carbon neutrality.