Uniper and thyssenkrupp Uhde have signed a framework agreement that lays the foundation for the construction of commercial ammonia cracking plants. Uniper has secured license packages for the use of thyssenkrupp Uhde’s ammonia cracking technology. The agreement covers up to six large-scale plants with a total capacity of 7,200 metric tons of ammonia per day (mtpd).

The agreement establishes the terms for using the technology at Uniper’s planned hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven. The license package includes engineering, services and the supply of main equipment and catalysts.

Uniper is currently driving forward the pre-FEED (front-end engineering and design) for a commercial plant at its Wilhelmshaven site. This pre-FEED phase will establish the design basis for the project, define its scope in more detail, further review its technoeconomic feasibility, and reduce its uncertainties and risks. The goal is to create a solid foundation for the subsequent FEED phase. The FEED phase is scheduled to start at the end of next year.

“Domestic production alone cannot meet future hydrogen demand – imports of hydrogen derivatives will be essential. Our agreement with thyssenkrupp Uhde marks a decisive next step toward enabling global hydrogen trading. Ammonia crackers are key to international hydrogen logistics, and together with thyssenkrupp Uhde, we are laying the foundations for the infrastructure that Europe needs for its energy future – including our planned hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven,” said Holger Kreetz, COO, Uniper.

“Our partnership with Uniper shows how cross-industry cooperation creates real added value. With our world-leading ammonia technology and our experience in executing complex plant projects, we are making a significant contribution to decarbonization and the development of a global hydrogen market,” added Nadja Håkansson, COO, thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies & CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde.