Air Liquide and Vopak have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development and operation of infrastructure for ammonia import, cracking and hydrogen distribution in Singapore.

Ammonia is considered one of the low-carbon marine fuels. As a hydrogen carrier, it is one of the most efficient ways to store and transport the gas. Leveraging on an established global supply chain and infrastructure for ammonia production, transportation and utilization, once transported, ammonia can be converted into hydrogen to contribute to the decarbonisation of industry and mobility.

To that aim, Air Liquide and Vopak are to explore the joint development of ammonia supply chains in Singapore, including the potential development of ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking facilities, associated ammonia storage and handling infrastructure at Vopak’s Banyan terminal, and the distribution of hydrogen through a pipeline network. The collaboration aims to support Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy, focusing at driving advanced hydrogen technologies with high commercial readiness to establish low-carbon hydrogen supply chains.

Rob Boudestijn, President of Vopak Singapore, commented: "Hydrogen and ammonia have the potential to significantly contribute to Singapore's transition towards a low-carbon economy. 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. We are excited about collaborating with Air Liquide to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of industrial ammonia cracking in Singapore."

Zhang Xi, Managing Director of Air Liquide Singapore, said: "Air Liquide is committed to partnering with industry partners, such as Vopak, to offer innovative and sustainable solutions in support of Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts. Air Liquide’s industrial scale ammonia (NH3) cracking pilot plant is under construction in Belgium. We are proud to apply our expertise to crack low-carbon ammonia into low-carbon hydrogen, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in industrial basins and hard-to-abate sectors, advancing towards a more sustainable future."