Uniper and thyssenkrupp Uhde join forces for key technology of the global hydrogen economy

• Strategic partnership lays foundation for industrial ammonia cracker

• Development of one of the world's first demonstration plants of its kind in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven

• Contribution to energy security and sustainable transformation

• Funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of NRW

thyssenkrupp Uhde and Uniper are entering into a strategic partnership to bring a key technology for global hydrogen trading to industrial maturity: the large-scale ammonia cracker. In an ammonia cracker, ammonia is catalytically broken down into its components, hydrogen and nitrogen, at high temperatures, and pure hydrogen is then produced in a purification process. In a first step, a demonstration plant with a capacity of 28 tons of ammonia per day will be built at Uniper’s Gelsenkirchen-Scholven site in Germany. The plant will be one of the first of its kind in the world and will serve as the basis for the planned hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven, northwestern Germany, where the technology is to be applied on a large industrial scale in a second step.

The aim of the partnership is to convert imported ammonia into hydrogen on an industrial scale and make it available for a wide range of industries such as energy, steel, and chemicals. The cooperation marks an important step towards strengthening energy security and the sustainable transformation of energy-intensive industries. The use of ammonia as a transport and storage medium makes it possible to provide green or low-carbon hydrogen from global production sites in large quantities at low cost – a prerequisite for the successful ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.

Holger Kreetz, COO of Uniper: “Uniper is actively committed to establishing hydrogen as an important component of the future energy mix that combines security and sustainability. Our aim is to strengthen the resilience of the economy. In order to meet Germany’s future hydrogen needs, we are dependent on imports from abroad. The partnership between Uniper and thyssenkrupp Uhde is therefore an important milestone for the hydrogen ramp-up and the decarbonization of industry. With the ammonia cracker in Scholven, we’re laying the groundwork to trade hydrogen internationally and making it available across industries.”

Nadja Håkansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde: “Uniper’s position as a leader in the energy markets and experienced asset operator, combined with our proven track record as a global leader in ammonia technology and large-scale plant delivery, forms a strong foundation for success. This joint capability ensures that the cracker plant is optimized not only for performance and efficiency but also for safety, long-term reliability, and total lifecycle cost. This integrated approach ensures a high level of confidence across the industry that the plant will consistently deliver top-tier operational performance throughout its entire lifecycle.”

The project is supported by funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to realize innovative components of the demonstration plant at the Scholven site. The plant serves to gain knowledge for the subsequent construction of a large-scale commercial plant. Both companies are also contributing significant funds of their own.

Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: “Hydrogen is one of the key technologies for the future viability of our industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. Like no other federal state, we need energy and raw materials for our economy and prosperity. With the help of ammonia cracking technology, we are opening up the possibility of obtaining green energy from numerous regions around the world. In doing so, we are strengthening the resilience of our business location and demonstrating how sustainability and security of supply can work together.”

Ammonia cracking technology is regarded as the missing element for a functioning global hydrogen infrastructure. As ammonia has a significantly higher energy density by volume and is easier to transport than pure hydrogen, it is ideally suited as a carrier medium. As a raw material for fertilizers, ammonia has been traded worldwide in large quantities and transported by ship for decades. If low-carbon hydrogen is converted directly into ammonia at the production site, this infrastructure can be easily utilized. Cracking allows the hydrogen to be reconverted at the destination and used in a climate-friendly way.

Following successful development and tests on a laboratory scale, the construction and operation of the “demo cracker” are now important steps towards large-scale implementation. During operation, data is obtained that is needed for further optimization of the technology as well as for scaling up to industrial scale in order to build the first commercial plant.

The cracker will be built on Uniper’s power plant site in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven, where new, sustainable projects are to be developed. All official approvals required for the construction and operation of the demo cracker have been obtained. Construction has started, and commissioning is planned for the end of 2026.

Your contact for more information:

thyssenkrupp Uhde
Christian Dill
Spokesperson
T +49 231 547 3334
christian.dill@thyssenkrupp.com  

Uniper SE
Svenja Kaltheuner
Spokesperson
T +49 1515 1500408
svenja.kaltheuner@uniper.energy

About thyssenkrupp Uhde

thyssenkrupp Uhde combines unique technological expertise and decades of global experience in the engineering, procurement, construction and service of chemical plants. We develop innovative processes and products for a more sustainable future and thus contribute to the long-term success of our customers in almost all areas of the chemical industry. Our portfolio includes leading technologies for the production of base chemicals, fertilizers and polymers as well as complete value-chains for green hydrogen and sustainable chemicals. www.thyssenkrupp-uhde.com

About Uniper

Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and activities in more than 40 countries. With around 7,500 employees, the company makes an important contribution to security of supply in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Uniper’s operations include power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio.

Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a total capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters.

Uniper aims to be carbon-neutral by 2040. To achieve this, the company is transforming its power plants and facilities and investing in flexible, dispatchable power generation units. Uniper is one of Europe’s largest operators of hydropower plants and is helping further expand solar and wind power, which are essential for a more sustainable and secure future. Uniper is gradually adding renewable and low-carbon gases such as biomethane to its gas portfolio and is developing a hydrogen portfolio with the aim of a long-term transition. The company plans to offset any remaining CO₂ emissions by high-quality CO₂-offsets. 

Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.

_{This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.}