The port of Antwerp already has a 15,000t/yr ammonia cracker
Ammonia ambitions to help drive gas demand
The gas-hungry sector is set for rapid growth, and oil majors and some of the world’s largest LNG firms are investing in ammonia production and export facilities, though much depends on regulatory support
The global ammonia trade is poised for significant expansion in the coming years, likely bolstering demand for natural gas, the main feedstock for conventional production. The existing ammonia market is dominated by requirements for fertilisers, demand for which is projected to increase alongside population growth. But new applications for ammonia as a low-carbon energy source, hydrogen carrier and alternative marine fuel could also spur significant additional demand, potentially further boosting gas consumption too. c.36m Btu – Gas requirements for 1t of ammonia for a typical plant Ammonia is a large, gas-intensive industry, which the IEA says uses around 170bcm/yr, or roughly 20% o
Also in this section
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
