Loop Chemicals is moving to commercialize a next-generation ammonia production technology after licensing a thermochemical chemical looping platform from Sandia National Laboratories.
The aim is to decentralize manufacturing and reduce dependence on traditional, capital-heavy ammonia plants.
The technology—developed at Sandia in collaboration with Arizona State University under the leadership of Andrea Ambrosini—uses a novel chemical looping process that could significantly lower capital intensity compared to conventional ammonia production methods.
Loop Chemicals plans to deploy it first in distributed fertilizer production systems, bringing ammonia manufacturing closer to agricultural regions.
The company says the approach could reduce supply-chain fragility while strengthening domestic fertilizer production. Over time, it also intends to expand into ammonia applications as a low-carbon fuel and hydrogen carrier.
Loop Chemicals was spun out of the Massachusetts Climatetech Studio, a program run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and FedTech to commercialize lab-developed climate technologies.
The startup secured a competitive grant at the program’s conclusion, which is now being used to build a prototype reactor in collaboration with Sandia and ASU.
Co-founder and CEO Dan Doble framed the mission in blunt terms: “Our mission is to localize ammonia production—strengthening U.S. fertilizer supply chains, reducing dependence on foreign imports, and improving farm gate economics.
"Chemical looping ammonia technology offers a pathway to reinvigorate rural economies with high-quality jobs while improving supply reliability. Over time, we also see major opportunity in ammonia as a fuel.”
From the research side, Sandia emphasized the national significance of the technology.
Andrea Ambrosini of Sandia National Laboratories stated: “Our innovative ammonia looping process represents an important step towards increasing domestic production for the benefit of US agriculture and energy security. We are pleased to see Loop Chemicals advancing this technology toward commercial deployment."
"Loop Chemicals is a great example of how talented innovators and their early-stage technologies can move beyond the lab to deliver tangible economic value in local, rural communities," said Jennifer Le Blond, Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech at Mass Clean Energy Center.
"This milestone reflects the value of pairing breakthrough research with the right support and partnerships to accelerate commercialization and deliver impact where it’s needed most.”
FedTech also underscored the broader model behind the venture pipeline. Hadas Webb, Director Energy Innovation at FedTech commented: “This is exactly what ClimateTech Studio was designed to do: translate technologies developed in universities and national labs into scalable companies.”
