Technological breakthroughs

In a world moving toward carbon neutrality, ammonia (NH₃) is being reconsidered not only as a raw material for the fertilizer and chemical industries but also as a potential clean energy source for the future. However, the traditional production method – the Haber-Bosch process – is one of the largest energy consumers and CO₂ emitters in the chemical industry.

recent advances in electrochemical technology are opening up prospects for fundamentally changing how ammonia is produced, making it more efficient, flexible, and environmentally friendly.

The Burden of the Haber-Bosch Process

For over a century, the Haber-Bosch process has been the foundation of global ammonia production, with output reaching approximately 182 million tons in 2020. However, the price to pay is enormous. This process requires high temperatures (350–450°C) and high pressure (100–200 bar), consuming about 1% of global energy annually and emitting more than 1.4% of the world's CO₂.

On average, producing 1 ton of ammonia requires the industry to emit up to 2.1 tons of CO₂. In the context of countries and businesses committing to emission reductions, the current centralized production model using fossil fuels is increasingly revealing its limitations.

Electrochemistry – A New Approach to Ammonia Production

Unlike Haber-Bosch, electrochemical ammonia synthesis technology allows reactions to occur at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, using electricity from renewable energy sources and water as a proton source. As a result, this process has the potential to dramatically reduce carbon emissions while paving the way for small-scale, on-site production systems.

According to recent research, there are currently three prominent electrochemical pathways attracting attention from the scientific and industrial communities.

The first is lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (Li-NRR). In this method, metallic lithium plays the role of "breaking" the very stable triple bond of nitrogen molecules (N₂), creating conditions for ammonia formation. This is currently rated as the most reliable pathway in non-aqueous electrolyte environments.
The second is nitrate reduction (NtrRR) – an approach with a clear circular economy character. Nitrate in industrial and agricultural wastewater is converted into ammonia, reducing environmental pollution while recovering valuable nitrogen resources.

The third is nitrogen oxide reduction (NOxRR), utilizing toxic emissions from thermal power plants and transportation to synthesize ammonia. This approach transforms waste into raw materials, helping to reduce toxic gas emissions to the environment.

The Critical Role of Catalysts and Equipment

The efficiency of electrochemical pathways depends heavily on catalyst design. Many studies show that strategies such as metal crystal surface modification or single-atom catalysts (e.g., Fe–N–C, Cu–N–C) can significantly improve reaction rates and ammonia selectivity.

Additionally, the emergence of gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) is helping to overcome mass transfer limitations, allowing systems to operate at higher current densities – a critical factor for moving toward industrial scale.

From Laboratory to Chemical Industry Practice

Although challenges remain regarding catalyst durability and operating voltage, experts believe that the combination of direct nitrogen reduction and nitrate/NOx reduction pathways could create a revolution in ammonia production.

In the future, the chemical industry may witness a shift from large-scale centralized production complexes to flexible, distributed electrochemical systems linked with on-site renewable energy sources. This will not only help reduce energy costs but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint of fertilizers and chemicals.

For businesses, monitoring and embracing electrochemical ammonia synthesis technologies today will be a strategic advantage, helping to meet increasingly stringent environmental and sustainable development requirements in the coming years.