Green Ammonia Linz project paused

The two project partners, LAT Nitrogen and VERBUND, have announced that the joint project “Green Ammonia Linz – GrAmLi” for the large-scale production of green hydrogen for use in the energy-intensive chemical industry will not be pursued in the current economic environment.

Green hydrogen is essential for decarbonizing industrial processes and products. Particularly in industries considered difficult to electrify, such as the steel industry, chemicals, refineries and heavy-duty transport, green hydrogen makes it possible to achieve a sustainable transformation to climate-neutral value chains. Even though electricity will form the backbone of the energy system going forward, chemical energy sources will remain indispensable long term, covering around 50% of energy requirements – with green hydrogen as a key component.

In spite of its high potential, the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Europe is under pressure. The current economic situation is slowing investment in research, production and infrastructure development. Against this backdrop, Green Ammonia Linz, the joint electrolysis project between LAT Nitrogen and VERBUND, is being put on hold. The ambitious decarbonization project planned to use green hydrogen for industrial production of fertilizers, melamine and technical nitrogen products at the LAT Nitrogen site in Linz. Despite the advanced progress and maturity of the project, insufficient public funding commitments make profitable implementation impossible at present.

Both companies expressly regret the decision, but do not rule out resuming the project at a later date and under changed economic and regulatory conditions. LAT Nitrogen and VERBUND remain committed to their strategic direction and continue to actively promote the expansion of the hydrogen economy. Among other things, both are members of Hydrogen Import Alliance Austria (HIAA).

Green Ammonia Linz

Green Ammonia Linz aims to produce green hydrogen at an industrial-scale 60 MW electrolysis plant planned by VERBUND, to be powered by electricity from renewable sources and deionised water. The green hydrogen produced will be used as a raw material for sustainable production of fertilizers, technical nitrogen products and melamine. The oxygen obtained through water electrolysis will be used directly in LAT Nitrogen’s other production processes. The electrolyser will also provide grid services for the transmission system.

About LAT Nitrogen

LAT Nitrogen is a leading European provider of nitrogen-based products in the crop nutrition and industrial chemical market. The company was created through the acquisition of Borealis’ Fertilizer, Technical Nitrogen and Melamine business by AGROFERT in 2023. LAT Nitrogen employs around 2,000 employees across Europe and has production units located in Austria and France.

The LAT Nitrogen site in Linz is located centrally in the Chemical Park in Upper Austria. LAT Nitrogen, the largest company at the park, operates facilities for fertilizer, melamine and technical nitrogen products (TEN). Every year, Linz produces around 1.5 million tons of crop nutrition products and 450,000 tons of technical nitrogen products. Thanks to its extensive distribution network and multiple warehouses along the Danube River, LAT Nitrogen is ideally positioned to supply customers throughout Eastern and Central Europe.

www.lat-nitrogen.com