South Korean scientists unveil a low-cost, energy-efficient ammonia production method that could significantly cut emissions from one of the world’s most polluting industries.
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| Using reusable solid reactants and dual-loop technology, scientists offer a cleaner alternative to traditional ammonia manufacturing. Image: CH |
Jeonju, South Korea — February 2, 2026:
Ammonia is 4 of the most quietly critical chemicals in the global economy, underpinning food security and modern manufacturing. Yet its production remains a major environmental burden. Now, a research team in South Korea claims to have developed a method that could upend more than a century of industrial practice, offering a cheaper and more energy-efficient way to produce ammonia while sharply reducing emissions.
The breakthrough comes from scientists led by Assistant Professor Sunghyun Cho at Jeonbuk National University, who have replaced key elements of the traditional Haber–Bosch process with a technique known as chemical looping. Unlike the conventional method—which requires extremely high temperatures and pressures to force nitrogen and hydrogen to react—the new approach relies on solid materials that repeatedly capture and release nitrogen under far milder conditions.
The environmental stakes are high. Globally, ammonia production consumes about 2 percent of total energy use and generates roughly 1.3 percent of carbon emissions. These figures make it one of the most carbon-intensive chemical processes in operation today. Against that backdrop, the reported gains from the new method are striking: an 8.4 percent improvement in energy efficiency and an estimated 60.9 percent reduction in production costs.
The innovation lies in a dual-loop system. In the first loop, aluminum oxide captures nitrogen by converting it into aluminum nitride, effectively storing nitrogen in a solid state. Ammonia is later released when this compound reacts with water vapor. In the second loop, iron oxide plays a key role in regenerating the nitrogen supply. By integrating nitrogen capture directly into the process, the system eliminates the need for a standalone nitrogen plant, a major cost and energy drain in conventional facilities.
The process also rethinks how carbon and hydrogen are managed. Methane is thermally decomposed to supply the carbon needed to drive the reactions, producing hydrogen gas as a byproduct. This hydrogen can be reused as fuel, improving the overall energy balance and offering additional flexibility for industrial applications.
While the method still depends on fossil-derived methane, researchers argue that its efficiency and byproduct utilization make it a meaningful step toward cleaner ammonia production. Over time, the same framework could potentially be adapted to use lower-carbon or renewable methane sources, further reducing environmental impact.
As with any laboratory-scale breakthrough, challenges remain. Scaling the system for continuous, industrial-level operation will require addressing material durability, system stability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Nonetheless, the researchers believe the technology is well suited for large-scale deployment, particularly in industries where low-cost ammonia is essential.
Beyond fertilizers, the implications extend to energy and climate policy. Ammonia is increasingly viewed as a potential hydrogen carrier and energy storage medium. Lowering the cost and emissions associated with its production could accelerate its adoption in clean energy systems.
By questioning the inevitability of high-pressure, high-emission ammonia synthesis, the South Korean team has reopened a fundamental industrial debate. If their chemical looping method proves viable at scale, it could mark a turning point in the decarbonization of one of the world’s most indispensable—and polluting—chemical processes.