Green Ammonia Plant Enters Industrial Operation

A cooperation between JGC Holdings Corporation, KBR, and supporting technology providers has resulted in the commissioning of Japan’s first fully operational green ammonia plant. The facility combines renewable-powered hydrogen generation, ammonia synthesis technology, and integrated control systems for industrial decarbonization applications in the energy sector.

Industrial Decarbonization and Process Integration
The project addresses the growing requirement for low-carbon ammonia production to support emission reduction strategies in thermal power generation. The produced green ammonia is intended for use in DeNox systems for denitrification processes at power plants, where ammonia is injected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

The cooperation involved multiple technical disciplines, including electrolytic hydrogen generation, ammonia synthesis, process automation, renewable energy integration, and industrial plant engineering. The scale and complexity of integrating fluctuating photovoltaic power with continuous ammonia production required coordinated engineering and operational expertise.

Roles of Participating Companies
JGC Holdings Corporation was responsible for engineering, procurement, construction, and operational management of the plant. The company also developed the Integrated Control System used to coordinate hydrogen production and process operations under variable renewable energy input conditions.

KBR licensed its K-GreeN green ammonia process technology and supplied proprietary ammonia synthesis equipment and Advanced Process Control systems. The technology is designed for dynamic operation under variable renewable electricity availability.

Asahi Kasei supplied alkaline electrolyzers used for hydrogen production. Hydrogen is generated using electricity from a nearby photovoltaic installation and supplemental grid power. Nitrogen feedstock is delivered to the site in liquefied form by tanker trucks.

Technical Configuration and Operation
The facility has a production capacity of 4 metric tons per day of green ammonia at full operation. Hydrogen generated through alkaline electrolysis is combined with nitrogen in the ammonia synthesis loop licensed by KBR.

The Integrated Control System developed by JGC and Asahi Kasei coordinates electrolyzer operation with ammonia synthesis requirements. KBR’s Advanced Process Control system manages process stability and operational efficiency during fluctuations in renewable electricity generation.

According to the project participants, the plant operates in full dynamic mode, enabling rapid response to intermittent photovoltaic energy input while maintaining ammonia production stability. This operating model is intended to support future integration of renewable energy into chemical production infrastructure.

Implementation Timeline
The technology licensing agreement for the project was awarded in 2022. Engineering and construction activities were completed during a two-year implementation phase, followed by commissioning and initial production activities in early 2026.

“Delivering one of the world’s first green ammonia plants shows what’s possible when industry leaders unite behind innovation. By combining KBR’s proven ammonia synthesis technology with advanced electrolyzers, nitrogen generation, and smart energy storage, we’re demonstrating that reliable, renewable based ammonia is not just the future, it’s here today,” Hari Ravindran, SVP and Global Head, KBR Technology Solutions.

Edited by an industrial journalist Sucithra Mani with AI assistance.

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