PlasmaLeap Technologies, an Australian pioneer of advanced plasma-based chemical reactors, has showcased its groundbreaking green ammonia technology to Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and NSW Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte.
Ammonia has long been a vital component in the agricultural sector, serving as a key ingredient in fertilisers. However, the traditional ammonia production method has come under scrutiny due to its significant carbon footprint and detrimental environmental impacts. Today, traditional ammonia production accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions, equivalent to the entire aviation sector.
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PlasmaLeap Technologies recognised the urgent need for a sustainable alternative, leading them to develop groundbreaking zero-emission ammonia production technology that uses only renewable electricity, air and water.
PlasmaLeap Technologies CEO Frere Byrne said the breakthrough achieved by PlasmaLeap was a huge step forward for the industry and could abate significant industrial emissions, accelerate the development of the global Hydrogen economy, and contribute materially to achieving global net zero.
“PlasmaLeap’s reactors demonstrate frontier science and engineering, and boast an unprecedented level of performance and scalability. Our chief technology officer, PJ Cullen, working with University of Sydney and UNSW colleagues demonstrated a new plasma driven path to ammonia synthesis and achieved world leading energy efficiency and production rates with technology that consumes only air, water and electricity.”
“With the ability to produce zero-emissions ammonia at rates literally thousands of times that of the next best competing electrochemical technology, PlasmaLeap’s reactors could be critical in achieving global net zero by 2050,” Byrne said.
As one of the leading chemical reactors on the market, PlasmaLeap’s technology has captured the attention of various industries, including agriculture, renewables and resources companies, and is used widely in research centres around the world.
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Hugh Mackinnon, owner of the significant soft fruit operation Mountford Berries in Tasmania will be trialling the technology as a Driscoll’s Grower allied to the Global Genetics and Marketing Company.
PlasmaLeap Technologies is on track to achieve energy efficiency rates of 20kWh/kg ammonia in its large scale reactors by the end of 2023. PlasmaLeap Technologies is poised to become a prominent player in the global energy and chemicals landscape. With their groundbreaking green ammonia and eFuel technology, the company is spearheading a transformative shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
