Ammonia’s journey from industrial feedstock to clean hydrogen carrier

Hans Vrijenhoef, Association NH3 Event Director and Previous President of the Ammonia Energy Association

As we gather for StocExpo’s 20th anniversary in Rotterdam, it is an opportune moment to reflect on how far we have come in the tank storage sector, especially in the storage and handling of ammonia. Ammonia has been at the forefront of fuel and chemical storage for decades.

Yet, as we enter a new era marked by an urgent energy transition, ammonia’s role is set to evolve from industrial feedstock to a clean hydrogen carrier, providing a bridge to sustainable energy. The Clean Ammonia Storage Conference at StocExpo offers a timely platform to discuss these developments, focusing on safe storage practices, the infrastructure demands of ammonia, and its pivotal role in the clean energy landscape.

Overcoming public misconceptions
Over the past two decades, ammonia storage technology has undergone significant advancements. From the single-walled tanks of yesteryear to today’s triple-walled systems, the industry has consistently improved the safety, reliability, and efficiency of ammonia storage facilities. This transformation has been essential in addressing public concerns about the risks associated with ammonia, where safety remains a priority. Today, standards such as the Netherlands’ PGS 12, incorporating the highest international benchmarks, have raised the bar on safety and influenced ammonia storage practices worldwide.

Despite ammonia’s decades-long track record, misconceptions about its safety persist. A well-maintained ammonia terminal, designed to today’s standards, offers some of the highest safety levels in the industry. The probability of a leak from a modern, triple-walled ammonia tank is estimated to be as low as one in a hundred million years. This is a testament to the engineering and the stringent regulatory frameworks we have developed. Collaboration with government agencies has been instrumental in refining these systems, making them robust enough to meet the global demand for ammonia storage safely and sustainably.

A fuel for all sectors
Ammonia stands out among future fuels for its unique advantages in infrastructure and logistics. As a hydrogen carrier, it offers several benefits compared to liquid hydrogen or LNG. Liquid hydrogen, for instance, requires storage at an ultra-low temperature of minus 252 degrees Celsius, demanding highly specialised infrastructure and refrigeration. By contrast, ammonia is easier to transport and store, using existing infrastructure with less stringent refrigeration requirements. This makes ammonia a cost-effective alternative in the hydrogen supply chain, often proving more economical than directly transporting hydrogen.

Today, the role of ammonia in the energy transition is already materialising. Power plants in Japan are co-firing ammonia with coal, significantly reducing their carbon emissions. The shipping industry, too, is exploring ammonia as a viable alternative to conventional fuels, driven by regulatory pressure from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to lower greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport. These applications underscore ammonia’s versatility and ability to decarbonise sectors traditionally relying on fossil fuels.

The sector’s evolution is striking, particularly when considering where ammonia storage stood two decades ago. Older tanks built in the 1960s or 1970s were not designed with today’s stringent safety standards in mind. Retrofitting these tanks has been challenging but has also driven innovation. Now, new storage facilities are designed to safely accommodate ammonia, meeting standards like the PGS 12 and other European regulations. Even converted LPG tanks must meet these standards, which is vital in ensuring safe and sustainable operations as ammonia’s storage capacity continues to expand.

This year’s Clean Ammonia Storage Conference at StocExpo provides a unique opportunity for industry professionals to learn about the latest advancements in ammonia storage and to gain insights into its future. This event is particularly timely, given the unprecedented growth in planned ammonia infrastructure, including greenfield terminals and new storage tanks. In Europe alone, the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region is seeing a surge in projects, with companies such as Advario, Vopak, and Stolthaven investing heavily in ammonia storage. This development signals an increase in storage capacity and a broader commitment to creating a robust, sustainable hydrogen economy.

Meeting growing demand with modern infrastructure
The shift towards ammonia as a hydrogen carrier is part of a larger narrative: the role of hydrogen in the energy transition. Hydrogen will undoubtedly be crucial in the future energy mix, and ammonia offers a pragmatic solution for its storage and transportation. By serving as a stable and energy-dense carrier, ammonia bridges the gap between hydrogen production sites and end-users, facilitating an efficient and scalable hydrogen economy. However, achieving this vision requires infrastructure capable of safely and efficiently handling ammonia on a large scale.

Building this infrastructure demands collaboration across the supply chain, from storage operators and equipment providers to regulatory bodies. The ammonia storage industry has made great strides in recent years, yet there remains room for improvement as demand grows. At the Clean Ammonia Storage Conference, we aim to foster these collaborations, creating partnerships that support sustainable growth. Companies can reduce costs, standardise practices, and make ammonia a viable competitor to other clean fuels by working together.

Sustainable growth also hinges on regulatory support and market stability. The ammonia sector needs a balanced approach, where subsidies support initial developments but do not become a crutch. Flexible offtake agreements, like those in the oil sector, could provide the stability needed to attract investment without over-reliance on subsidies. This approach will be vital to establishing a thriving ammonia market that is sustainable in both economic and environmental terms.

Looking ahead, we must also consider the role of public perception and consumer education. Ammonia is often overshadowed by hydrogen in discussions of clean energy, but its value as a hydrogen carrier makes it an essential component of the energy transition. Events like StocExpo are vital in educating stakeholders, from policymakers to the public, about ammonia’s potential and ensuring that it is seen as a reliable and safe alternative to more familiar fuels.

A lot of changes in two decades
As we celebrate two decades of StocExpo, it is clear that the tank storage sector has come a long way. The event has grown from a niche gathering focused on oil and gas to a global platform exploring future fuels, digitalisation, and sustainability. This 20th-anniversary edition brings together cutting-edge robotics for tank inspection, innovations in terminal technology, and the dedicated Clean Ammonia Storage Conference. These features reflect the industry’s transformation and underline the importance of sustainable, secure, and innovative storage solutions as we transition to a low-carbon future.

Ammonia’s evolution from industrial feedstock to a clean hydrogen carrier highlights both our progress and the challenges ahead. By focusing on safe, scalable storage and fostering industry-wide collaboration, we can ensure that ammonia plays a central role in tomorrow’s energy landscape. StocExpo’s Clean Ammonia Storage Conference is a crucial step in this journey, providing a forum for dialogue, innovation, and the continued development of safe and sustainable ammonia infrastructure.