Vopak, Air Liquide to develop ammonia cracking facility in Singapore

Dutch storage terminal operator Vopak and French industrial gas supplier Air Liquide have agreed to develop and operate ammonia import, cracking, and hydrogen distribution facility in Singapore.

PHOTO: Ammonia storage tank (left) in Singapore. Vopak

The duo will analyse the feasibility of establishing facilities for ammonia cracking, along with storage and handling infrastructure at Vopak's Banyan terminal.

Ammonia cracking is a process where ammonia molecules are broken down into hydrogen and nitrogen molecules. It is typically done at temperatures of 850-950°C using a nickel catalyst.

Additionally, the parties will investigate the distribution of low-carbon hydrogen via a network of pipelines. This initiative aligns with Singapore's National Hydrogen Strategy, which emphasises the promotion of advanced hydrogen technologies with high commercial potential to establish sustainable hydrogen supply chains.

However, the companies have not disclosed any expected dates for project completion and if any portion of the production capacity has been earmarked for bunkering.

“Hydrogen and ammonia have the potential to significantly contribute to Singapore's transition towards a low-carbon economy,” Vopak Singapore’s president Rob Boudestijn says.

"As Singapore gears up for receiving and handling ammonia for power generation and bunkering, cracking of ammonia into hydrogen presents an additional application to help the industry shift to lower carbon feedstock," he adds.

Notably, Singapore aims to commence ammonia bunkering from 2026.

By Tuhin Roy

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