Ammonia - statistics & facts
Ammonia (NH₃) is a colorless gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen and one of the most widely produced chemical compounds, with a global production estimated at some 150 million metric tons in 2023. The chemical is a basic building block and a necessary intermediate for the production of most downstream nitrogen products. Although virtually all of the ammonia produced today is used in the agricultural and industrial sectors, new applications for the chemical are expected to arise in the next years. Currently, the main use of ammonia is as a source of nitrogen for fertilizers, such as urea, ammonium phosphate, and complex fertilizers. Other uses include plastics manufacturing, refrigerant gases, and cleaning preparations.
By 2050, the global demand for ammonia is expected to reach 470 million metric tons, with agriculture and industry still taking the lead among ammonia applications. However, shipping fuel is also forecast to be a major driver for ammonia demand in 2050, at 182 million metric tons. Overall, it is estimated that the the agricultural and industrial sector will account for a roughly half of ammonia demand in 2050.
When the hydrogen used in the process is sourced from fossil fuels, the ammonia produced is referred to as gray ammonia. On the other hand, blue ammonia combines traditional ammonia synthesis with carbon capture and storage, while green ammonia is generated only from renewable sources. By 2050, clean ammonia is forecast to account for the largest supply share of the chemical. In particular, green ammonia is expected to account for more than 40 percent. In 2021, the green ammonia market generated a revenue of some 16.8 million U.S. dollars and it was expected to reach roughly 4.8 billion dollars in 2030.
Ammonia remains a crucial chemical for the agricultural and industrial sectors, with future growth expected in clean ammonia production and new energy applications. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, ammonia's role as a carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier will be instrumental in driving the global energy transition.
The future role of ammonia
New applications for ammonia are particularly interesting in the context of the energy transition, as the chemical has the potential to be used as a carbon-free energy commodity. Specifically, ammonia is emerging as an alternative fuel for maritime transport and power generation.By 2050, the global demand for ammonia is expected to reach 470 million metric tons, with agriculture and industry still taking the lead among ammonia applications. However, shipping fuel is also forecast to be a major driver for ammonia demand in 2050, at 182 million metric tons. Overall, it is estimated that the the agricultural and industrial sector will account for a roughly half of ammonia demand in 2050.
Gray, blue, and green ammonia
The most commonly used industrial procedure to produce ammonia is the Haber-Bosch process, which consists of the reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen at high pressure and temperature using a catalyst. This is an energy-intensive process with a high carbon footprint. In fact, ammonia production is one of the chemical processes with the highest greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.When the hydrogen used in the process is sourced from fossil fuels, the ammonia produced is referred to as gray ammonia. On the other hand, blue ammonia combines traditional ammonia synthesis with carbon capture and storage, while green ammonia is generated only from renewable sources. By 2050, clean ammonia is forecast to account for the largest supply share of the chemical. In particular, green ammonia is expected to account for more than 40 percent. In 2021, the green ammonia market generated a revenue of some 16.8 million U.S. dollars and it was expected to reach roughly 4.8 billion dollars in 2030.
Ammonia remains a crucial chemical for the agricultural and industrial sectors, with future growth expected in clean ammonia production and new energy applications. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, ammonia's role as a carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier will be instrumental in driving the global energy transition.
