Thyssenkrupp Uhde's hydrogen recovery tech boosts Fertiglobe's ammonia plant efficiency and sustainability in UAE

Thyssenkrupp Uhde has successfully brought online a cutting-edge Hydrogen Recovery Unit (HRU) at Fertil’s plant over in Ruwais, in the UAE. The plant belongs to Fertiglobe, which is a big player globally in producing ammonia and urea, and they’ve got a pretty clear focus on sustainable ammonia solutions. This project really marks a notable step forward in developing energy-efficient and lower-carbon ways to produce ammonia in the region.

The new HRU uses some of the latest membrane separation tech to recover hydrogen from the ammonia synthesis purge gas—a byproduct that, until now, wasn’t used much. Interestingly enough, this recovery process isn’t just about efficiency; it also boosts feedstock usage and raises ammonia production by roughly 6%. As a result, the plant’s capacity jumps to about 2,120 metric tons of ammonia daily. And get this—this whole setup was completed and integrated without shutting down or disrupting the ongoing plant operations. That’s pretty impressive, don’t you think? It really shows off thyssenkrupp Uhde’s engineering skill and their strict safety standards, especially working on a live plant.

Now, beyond just upping production, this upgrade has some real environmental benefits too. By making hydrogen recovery more efficient, the process cuts down on carbon dioxide emissions per ton of ammonia produced. This perfectly aligns with Fertiglobe’s Manufacturing Improvement Plan (MIP), which aims not just to lower their overall carbon footprint but also to improve their operational efficiency and get better financial returns. Ahmed El-Hoshy, Fertiglobe’s CEO, pointed out that this project doesn’t just mean more ammonia—it’s also giving them an internal rate of return (IRR) of over 25% annually. He also made a point about how crucial the collaboration was for making this success happen and reaffirmed that Fertiglobe is committed to sustainable growth.

Nadja Håkansson, who’s the CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, commented on how this kind of tech move is such an important step toward more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible ammonia production. She emphasized that combining top-notch hydrogen recovery technology with expert execution can help create greener options for Fertiglobe and also push the sector toward lower CO₂ emissions.

This whole development fits well within a broader trend in the chemical and fertilizer industries—where decarbonization and efficiency are becoming more and more critical given the global push for cleaner goals. Considering ammonia’s traditionally high carbon footprint due to its reliance on fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen, efforts like these are vital. Improving hydrogen recovery is just one of many small innovations that, cumulatively, help make ammonia production much cleaner.

The Ruwais plant really plays a key role in the UAE’s aim to advance climate tech and sustainable industry practices. Fertiglobe’s ability to upgrade their plant with complex tech like the HRU without halting production really shows that the country’s industrial sector is maturing—able to embrace sustainability while still maintaining productivity. It’s also an example of how older plants can be retrofitted with advanced tech to extend their life and boost performance in a responsible way.

Plus, this aligns with wider regional strategies to position the UAE as a leader in green hydrogen and climate innovation. Improving hydrogen use and cutting down emissions in ammonia—a key component for fertilizers and new green fuels alike—really helps push the UAE’s vision of a sustainable industrial future forward.

In summary, the successful commissioning of this hydrogen recovery unit at Fertiglobe’s Ruwais plant by thyssenkrupp Uhde is a real milestone in the push toward greener ammonia manufacturing. It combines engineering excellence with smart project management, resulting in increased capacity, better efficiency, lower emissions, and a solid economic upside. It’s a pretty clear example of how the region’s climate tech landscape is advancing, and it gives a practical pathway toward decarbonizing the chemical sector and optimizing resource use.

Source: Noah Wire Services