Sustainable Ammonia Production: A New Path to Reduce Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Research from the University of Lisbon has shed new light on the potential of sustainable ammonia production, a crucial step in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. The study, published in Clean Technologies, highlights the feasibility of transitioning to a green hydrogen-based Haber-Bosch process, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to eight times compared to the conventional method. Additionally, emerging zero-emission, electrochemical routes for ammonia synthesis are being explored, offering decentralized, electrified pathways for sustainable ammonia production in the future.

Key Takeaways:

• The conventional Haber-Bosch process is highly energy- and carbon-intensive, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing approximately 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of ammonia produced.
• The transition to a green hydrogen-based Haber-Bosch process has been demonstrated to offer significant environmental advantages, potentially reducing carbon emissions by up to eight times compared to the conventional method.
• The economic viability of a green hydrogen-based HB process is particularly pronounced under conditions of low-cost renewable electricity, whether utilizing solid oxide electrolysis cells or proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers.
• Emerging zero-emission, electrochemical routes for ammonia synthesis, such as indirect lithium-mediated pathways, offer promising progress in reducing ammonia production costs and emissions.
• Despite existing challenges, particularly related to efficiency, these emerging technologies offer decentralized, electrified pathways for sustainable ammonia production in the future.

Statistics:

• The conventional Haber-Bosch process releases approximately 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of ammonia produced.
• The transition to a green hydrogen-based Haber-Bosch process can reduce carbon emissions by up to eight times compared to the conventional method.
• The economic viability of a green hydrogen-based HB process is particularly pronounced under conditions of low-cost renewable electricity, with the potential to reduce costs by'utilizing solid oxide electrolysis cells or proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers'.
• The indirect lithium-mediated pathway demonstrates the greatest potential for reducing ammonia production costs, with promising progress made in direct and indirect nitrogen reduction approaches.

Sources:

• Transitioning Ammonia Production: Green Hydrogen-Based Haber-Bosch and Emerging Nitrogen Reduction Technologies. Clean Technologies, 2025,7(2):49. (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/cleantechnol7020049)
• FundacAo Para A Ciencia E A Tecnologia (Financial supporter of the research)
• University of Lisbon (Research institution)
• Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Tecnico (Contact for additional information)
• Diogo M. F. Santos (Co-author of the research)
• NewsRx LLC (Publisher of the news report)