Jupiter Ionics Pty Ltd welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement that it has been awarded a grant of $A2.65m to develop its modular green ammonia manufacturing technology.
The aim of the project is to deploy pilot-scale units on-farm that manufacture green ammonia and ammonia-based fertilisers powered by renewable energy.
The project will see Jupiter Ionics lead a consortium which includes Monash University, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), Wesfarmers Chemicals Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF), and SJDC Produce.
The grant is part of the Australian Government’s Co-operative Research Centres – Projects scheme.
Ammonia is an essential ingredient in today’s global food system through its role in fertiliser production, but current technology typically generates around 2 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of ammonia produced.
Jupiter Ionics’ technology, which it has exclusively licensed from Monash University, uses renewable electricity, air and water as inputs to make ammonia with potential for zero carbon emissions.
This so called Green Ammonia is also expected to have a range of uses in a low-carbon future, including as a fuel in its own right, with ammonia-powered trains and ships already in development.
“We are grateful to the Australian Government for their far-sighted support of this project” said Dr Charlie Day, CEO of Jupiter Ionics.
“This grant will enable us to work closely with our high quality consortium partners over the next three years to significantly accelerate the progress of this breakthrough technology to market.”
Professor Doug MacFarlane, Chief Scientific Officer of Jupiter Ionics and Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor at Monash University, commented “Our new pathway to produce Green Ammonia has the potential to play a key role in a net-zero future, and this grant will enable us to continue to push the boundaries in the underlying science.”
Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Future Industries, Julie Shuttleworth AM, said “We are excited by this partnership and to support critical research into green ammonia.
“The research being undertaken by Jupiter Ionics is important for FFI’s growing technology portfolio as we continue to develop technologies to lower emissions globally.”
WesCEF Managing Director Ian Hansen said the organisation was excited to be part of the new consortium.
“Ammonia is essential for many applications ranging from fertilisers to critical minerals and the technology Jupiter Ionics is developing could transform the way ammonia is produced and delivered,” Mr Hansen said.
