LSB Industries (LSB) announced that it entered into agreements with thyssenkrupp Uhde USA, (thyssenkrupp Uhde) and Bloom Energy (Bloom), to develop a project to produce approximately 30,000 metric tons of zero-carbon or ‘green’ ammonia per year at LSB’s Pryor, Oklahoma facility (Pryor).

Green ammonia is produced by extracting hydrogen from water using an electrolyzer powered by a renewable energy source, such as solar or wind. Since no natural gas or other fossil fuels are used as the feedstock to the ammonia production process, nor as the power source, the end-product has no associated carbon emissions.

Thyssenkrupp Uhde will develop the engineering design to convert a small portion of Pryor’s existing conventional or ‘grey’ ammonia capacity into green ammonia.

Pending results of the feasibility study currently underway, and subsequent board approval, the project will be constructed in two phases: first with Bloom supplying a 10 megawatt (MW) solid oxide electrolyzer, followed by the installation of an additional 20MW alkaline electrolyzer unit, which will be sourced from a leading manufacturer.

Bloom will, own, operate and maintain the solid oxide electrolyzer that, once in operation, will be the largest of its kind in the world. Once the second electrolyzer is installed and operational, Pryor will be the largest green ammonia production site in North America.

“We are very excited to partner with Bloom Energy and thyssenkrupp Uhde in taking our first step to becoming a leading supplier of zero carbon or green ammonia in a unique facility that will have two electrolyzer technologies operating side by side. We believe that being an early entrant into the green ammonia space will allow us to become a leading player as the market evolves,” stated Mark Behrman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of LSB Industries.

“This project is very important for LSB and our partners because, in addition to its initial environmental benefit, it provides a learning opportunity. With two electrolyzer technologies working together in a real-world application, we can learn how to effectively develop projects and operate facilities in this exciting new environment. We view this project as our first critical step in becoming a major facilitator and participant in the green ammonia market of the future.”

“This project highlights the value that strategic collaborations and industry-leading innovation can bring to lead advancements in decarbonizing today’s energy system,” said Rick Beuttel, Vice President of Bloom Energy’s hydrogen business. “With a focus on providing highly efficient and low-cost green hydrogen at scale, we’re proud to partner with LSB to accelerate the adoption of this clean, carbon-free fuel.”

The green hydrogen produced from the electrolyzers as part of the ammonia production process is expected to qualify for federal incentive programs such as the production and investment tax credits currently under evaluation by Congress.