Topsoe Technology Chosen for ACWA’s Yanbu Green Ammonia Plant

• Topsoe will provide ammonia technology for ACWA’s Yanbu Green Hydrogen Project in Saudi Arabia
• The plant is expected to reach a capacity of 2,700 metric tons of green ammonia per day
• Final investment decision is planned for 2026, with operations expected in 2030
• Dynamic ammonia technology allows flexible output based on renewable energy supply
• Full operation could help avoid about 1.7 million tons of CO2e emissions each year

Topsoe has been selected as the ammonia technology licensor for ACWA’s Yanbu Green Hydrogen Project in Saudi Arabia, marking another step forward in the country’s push toward cleaner energy production. The project will establish a major green ammonia plant in Yanbu, designed to convert green hydrogen into ammonia for industrial and export use. A final investment decision is expected in 2026, with operations planned to begin in 2030.

Under the agreement, Topsoe will provide the core technology needed to enable the conversion of renewable-based hydrogen into green ammonia. Along with the licensing, Topsoe will also deliver engineering support, proprietary equipment, and catalysts to Sinopec and Técnicas Reunidas, who are jointly responsible for the front-end engineering design phase of the project. This collaboration reflects the growing demand for industrial-scale solutions that can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels in sectors where emissions are difficult to eliminate.

The Yanbu project strengthens the strategic relationship between Topsoe and ACWA, with both companies focused on scaling up low-carbon fuel production. Green ammonia is increasingly viewed as a practical option for global decarbonization, since it can be transported using existing infrastructure and used in multiple applications. Beyond its role as a hydrogen carrier, it has the potential to support emissions reduction in heavy industries such as steelmaking, cement production, and long-distance shipping.

The planned ammonia units in Yanbu are expected to reach a capacity of 2,700 metric tons per day, making them among the first mega-scale facilities of their kind in the region. ACWA has also indicated interest in replicating the scheme in future units, suggesting that Yanbu could serve as a model for additional green ammonia developments in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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A major advantage of Topsoe’s contribution lies in its dynamic ammonia technology, which is designed to adjust production according to fluctuations in renewable power supply. Since green hydrogen production depends heavily on variable sources like wind and solar, ammonia plants must be able to respond quickly to changing input levels. Topsoe’s system can ramp ammonia output up or down at a rate of at least three percent per minute, ensuring flexibility without compromising operational stability.

This dynamic capability also reduces the need for large-scale hydrogen storage, which can significantly lower both capital and operating costs. By converting renewable electricity into a zero-carbon chemical product, the technology enables energy to be stored and transported efficiently. When fully operational, the Yanbu plant is expected to help avoid around 1.7 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually compared to conventional ammonia production based on natural gas.

The Yanbu Green Ammonia Project represents an important milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, supporting industrial transformation while creating cleaner fuel pathways for global markets. With large-scale infrastructure, advanced technology, and strong partnerships in place, the project signals how renewable energy resources in the region can be converted into competitive green fuels for the future.