Ammonia Cracking Partnership: Amogy and KBR to Accelerate Clean Hydrogen

Amogy, the Brooklyn-based upstart shaking up the ammonia-to-hydrogen scene, has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with engineering powerhouse KBR. They’ll join forces to test and refine next-gen ammonia cracking catalysts at real-world, commercial scale—putting lab breakthroughs through their paces. The core idea is straightforward: tap ammonia’s high energy density and existing logistics network to ship fuel anywhere, then crack it on-site into hydrogen and nitrogen. The result? On-demand, truly clean hydrogen without rewriting global supply chains.

Breaking Down the Clean, Efficient Tech

This partnership dovetails with the global push for decarbonization, targeting sectors like shipping, heavy industry, and power generation. Here’s the simple magic: feed ammonia over a specialized catalyst bed, and it cleaves into hydrogen and nitrogen at lower temperatures and faster rates than old-school methods. That’s thanks to Amogy’s proprietary ruthenium- and base-metal catalysts, which boost efficiency. Then KBR’s H2ACT® platform integrates this chemistry into an on-site system that cranks out reliable clean hydrogen on demand, marrying decades-old process know-how with cutting-edge catalyst science.

Real-World Wins for Industry

By teaming up, Amogy and KBR are tackling real challenges for fleet operators, industrial plants, and off-grid power users. Imagine a cargo vessel storing ammonia, then cracking it on board to fuel electric motors—no bulky hydrogen tanks or complex piping required. Since ammonia moves easily through existing pipelines and tankers, you skip the headaches of handling pure hydrogen. Just ship the ammonia, crack it at your site, and you’ve got a high-energy, low-emission power source ready to roll whenever you need it. You can even skid-mount these units for fast deployment in disaster zones or remote research stations.

Big Impact on the Planet and the Bottom Line

Using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier is a big win for cutting emissions where electrification can’t keep up. You eliminate CO₂ releases tied to trucking and storing hydrogen, handling ammonia instead, which is easier to move. Then you convert it back into clean hydrogen on-site, with nitrogen as the only byproduct. By slashing transport and storage emissions, operators can meet stricter targets and avoid hefty carbon taxes. And because this work is happening in the USA—blending New York’s innovation flair with Houston’s engineering strength—it could spark new manufacturing roles and R&D jobs, fueling both economic and environmental progress.

Why This Partnership Matters

KBR already licenses more than half of the world’s ammonia plants and offers proven tech like H2KPlus™ and H2ACT®. Amogy, founded in 2020, brings fresh catalyst breakthroughs that slash cracking temperatures and energy needs. Together, they’re set to deliver affordable, scalable hydrogen supply that meets rising market demand and tougher clean energy rules, paving the way for wider decarbonization. This collaboration could also spark new regulations and incentives that accelerate green fuel adoption around the world.

This MOU isn’t just a handshake—it’s the start of making ammonia-to-hydrogen a key pillar in the clean hydrogen economy. With robust supply chains and stronger local industries, we’re looking at a real boost in global decarbonization. Stay tuned: the future of ammonia cracking is about to get exciting. Whether you’re an operator, regulator, or investor, keep an eye on this space; the changes ahead could reshape energy markets.