Ammonia is emerging as a key enabler of the energy transition—serving as a hydrogen carrier, carbon-free fuel, and platform chemical. At TNO, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, we are developing and demonstrating a wide range of advanced ammonia technologies aimed at unlocking its full potential across energy and industrial sectors. Our work spans catalytic membrane reactors for efficient ammonia reforming, sorption enhanced ammonia production research, chemical looping systems for direct ammonia-to-syngas conversion, and novel process intensification routes for ammonia-based dimethyl ether production. These process innovations capitalize on in-situ hydrogen utilization, reaction coupling, and thermodynamic shifting strategies to improve efficiency and flexibility in conversion pathways.

Beyond conversion, TNO is actively advancing complementary technologies to ensure ammonia’s safe, scalable, and sustainable use. This includes research in electrically heated ammonia crackers, membrane-assisted catalytic reforming, NOₓ capture, N₂O decomposition catalysis, and the development of electrochemical and plasma-based nitrogen/ammonia conversion systems. We also focus on systems analysis, dynamic operation modeling, and techno-economic evaluation to assess flexibility and integration within broader ammonia value chains. Together, these efforts support the deployment of ammonia as a clean energy carrier and industrial feedstock, contributing to decarbonization of heavy industries and enabling circular, low-carbon process systems.