HyNitrogen: Research launched into new production methods for nitrogen-based chemicals

The new research project HyNITROGEN brings together more than 40 clean-tech companies, universities and research institutes to develop innovative technologies for sustainable production routes of ammonia and other nitrogen-based chemicals. The consortium has received a €20.3 million subsidy from NWO as part of the National Growth Fund programme GroenvermogenNL which is topped up by an additional €6 million in co-funding by industrial partners.

Nitrogen-based chemicals are essential for fertilisers, refrigerants, medicines and plastics. The relevant chemical industry utilizes enormous amounts of fossil raw materials, accounting for a significant share of global CO2 emissions. For example, fertilizer production requires 5% of the Netherlands’ natural gas demand. Switching to green hydrogen and renewable electricity would significantly decrease this demand and the dependence on imported fossil fuels. This would support the Dutch chemical industry to become more sustainable, whilst also remaining competitive.

The objective of HyNITROGEN is to develop and scale-up methods and technologies to support the Dutch industry to implement and commercialize nitrogen containing chemicals and energy carriers (NH3) using hydrogen, green electrons and nitrogen from air or wastewater.

Role of the University of Groningen
The Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen plays a pivotal role in two key research areas within the project, leading different efforts on the critical part of catalytic conversions:

• Prof. Edwin Otten (Stratingh institute) leads the task on nitrogen-carbon bond chemistries where the nitrogen comes from wastewater or greem ammonia treatments, and the carbon sourcing comes from CO2 or recycled waste streams. His group will focus on the development of (immobilized) homogeneous catalysts for novel mild oxidation chemistry towards multifunctional amino acids which are crtical components for pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
• Prof. Vassilis Kyriakou (Engineering and Technology institute Groningen) coordinates the efforts for the green ammonia production in protonic ceramic and solid oxide cells that can be utilized as both intermediate in fertilizer industry and energy carrier. His group will focus on tailoring at the nanoscale materials for efficient and stable electrosynthesis of ammonia by elucidating reaction and degradation mechanisms with operando and in-situ experimental tools.

Through these research efforts, the University of Groningen is one of the key players in shaping the technological landscape for safe and scalable transition and electrification of the chemical and energy industry.

Read more