Air Liquide has been awarded a €110 million grant from the European Innovation Fund to support its ENHANCE project in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium. This groundbreaking initiative aims to establish the first large-scale industrial project in Europe for the production, liquefaction, and distribution of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen derived from ammonia.
As part of the project, Air Liquide plans to retrofit one of its hydrogen production units in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, replacing natural gas with renewable ammonia as a feedstock. Additionally, the company will construct a state-of-the-art hydrogen liquefier. The integration of ammonia cracking technology with hydrogen liquefaction will provide a robust supply chain for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, addressing decarbonisation needs in industries such as chemicals, refineries, and heavy-duty transport.
The ENHANCE project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 300,000 tonnes annually. Leveraging insights from Air Liquide’s ammonia cracking pilot plant at the same location, the initiative underscores the company’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions.
Armelle Levieux, a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, commented:
“The combination of ammonia cracking and hydrogen liquefaction technologies offers an additional solution to support the growth of the global hydrogen market. We welcome the support from the European Commission for our ENHANCE project, which contributes to the emergence of a viable infrastructure for the supply of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in Europe.”
This project aligns with Air Liquide’s ADVANCE strategic plan, supporting the energy transition and European carbon neutrality goals. Ammonia, composed of hydrogen and nitrogen, is particularly suitable for low-carbon hydrogen production due to its compatibility with existing global supply chain infrastructures.
The European Innovation Fund, among the world’s largest initiatives for low-carbon technology promotion, has recognised the significance of ENHANCE in achieving Europe’s climate objectives. The funding marks a critical step toward final investment decisions and project execution.
For more information visit www.airliquide.com
