Ammonia cracking for maritime applications

Prototype delivered to Norway

Via its Greek subsidiary Helbio, technology developer Metacon has delivered an ammonia cracking prototype unit to Pherousa Green Technologies AS in Norway. Helbio reports the prototype unit achieves conversion rates of 99.3% with no ammonia slip, enabling it to feed a high-purity PEM fuel cell. The technology will be incorporated into Pherousa’s development of an ammonia-fed, zero emissions maritime propulsion system, which will then be commercialised and marketed globally. The partnership first began in July 2020, when Helbio and the newly-formed Pherousa signed an MoU to develop ammonia cracking solutions for installation onboard ships.

We are excited about our collaboration and our participation in Pherousa as well as about the emerging green ammonia market. The ammonia-based hydrogen economy holds great potential both for decarbonising shipping and for energy storage in general. We are looking forward to taking the next step in the scale-up towards commercialisation together with Pherousa.

Metacon President & CEO Christer Wikner in his organisation’s official press release, 17 May 2022

Pherousa’s technology for emission-free shipping based on ammonia and hydrogen could present the first truly zero emission and viable solution in the world for the maritime sector. We are very happy to see the results and promising performance of the first cracker developed together with Helbio and we are looking forward to the next steps in the collaboration.

Pherousa Green Technologies CEO Vasilis Besikiotis in Metacon’s official press release, 17 May 2022