Ammobia and Lummus strike deal to commercialize modular ammonia production at lower cost
San Francisco-based Ammobia and Houston-based Lummus Technology have signed an agreement to license and deploy Ammobia’s modular ammonia production system worldwide. The partnership will make Ammobia’s “Haber-Bosch 2.0” process the first ammonia technology in Lummus’s portfolio, targeting commercial installations for maritime fuel, power generation, and energy storage.
Ammobia says its capital-efficient synthesis loop operates at lower temperatures and pressures than conventional ammonia plants, potentially cutting capital costs by up to half and overall production costs by 10% to 30%. The modular design is intended to make smaller-scale ammonia production economically viable, a departure from the world-scale plants that have defined the industry for decades. Lummus, which has decades of experience scaling process technologies from concept to commercial operation, will handle global licensing, engineering, and project delivery.
The deal reflects growing demand for ammonia beyond its traditional role in fertilizer production. As of June 2026, 441 vessels on order or in operation were ammonia-ready or ammonia-fueled, according to the companies. The two firms will initially prioritize maritime fuel and power generation projects, while Ammobia continues developing applications for fertilizer and industrial production. Grand View Research projects global ammonia production will increase 58% by 2033.
Source: Interesting Engineering
What to know about Ammobia’s modular ammonia technology
Conventional Haber-Bosch plants operate at high temperatures (400–500°C) and pressures (150–300 bar) in massive single-train facilities. Ammobia’s redesigned synthesis loop is engineered to operate at lower temperatures and pressures, enabling a modular plant architecture that can be deployed at smaller scales without the billion-dollar capital outlay of a traditional world-scale facility.
Ammonia contains no carbon, so it produces no CO2 when burned. It can be stored as a liquid at moderate pressure, making it easier to handle than hydrogen. The shipping industry faces tightening emissions regulations, and ammonia is one of a small number of scalable zero-carbon fuel candidates. The fleet of ammonia-ready or ammonia-fueled vessels reached 441 as of mid-2026.
Lummus Technology is a global provider of process technologies and engineering solutions, primarily known for its refining, petrochemical, and hydrogen portfolio. The company brings expertise in reactor design, thermal engineering, and scaling technologies from pilot to commercial scale. The Ammobia agreement adds ammonia production to Lummus’s technology licensing catalog for the first time.
Yes. While the Lummus partnership focuses on energy applications, Ammobia said it continues to develop its technology across fertilizer and industrial production segments. Modular ammonia units could serve regional fertilizer markets, reducing long-distance shipping and import dependence — a concept that has attracted interest since the Strait of Hormuz disruption exposed vulnerabilities in global nitrogen supply chains.
The companies said the first commercial opportunities are expected to be identified “in the coming months.” No specific project locations, capacities, or timelines have been disclosed. The technology remains at the commercialization stage, and projects will need to clear financing, permitting, and offtake milestones before construction can begin.
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