KBR’s Roadmap to Affordable and Sustainable Ammonia and Hydrogen
In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, the demand for practical, phased, and economically viable decarbonization pathways has never been more urgent. KBR is leading this transformation—redefining traditional technologies to meet the requirements of a low-carbon future through innovation, flexibility, and decades of technical expertise.
Bridging Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Sustainability
KBR’s longstanding leadership in steam methane reforming (SMR) technology forms the foundation for a suite of innovative hydrogen and ammonia solutions. These begin with affordable, conventional production and are engineered to transition seamlessly to low-carbon alternatives. This approach allows producers to deliver immediate value while laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability—demonstrating how modernization of proven platforms can align economic and environmental goals.
With over 80 years of experience in SMR, KBR continues to set the benchmark with technologies like its down-fired SMR and reforming exchanger (KRESTM). These solutions are ideally suited for scalable, cost-effective hydrogen and ammonia production that can evolve toward low-carbon operations without requiring total reinvestment.
Meeting Market Demand Through Sustainable Innovation
Ammonia is expected to become a cornerstone of the global energy transition. While it remains a key agricultural input, its role as a low-carbon energy carrier and hydrogen vector is expanding rapidly. According to ChemAnalyst, global ammonia demand is forecast to reach approximately 258 million metric tons by 2035, driven by both traditional and emerging applications—including clean fuel, power generation, and maritime transport.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a nearly 40% increase in ammonia production by 2050 to support both agriculture and a decarbonized energy system. Meeting this demand will require reimagining existing infrastructure, integrating low-carbon hydrogen, renewable power, and carbon capture technologies into ammonia production pathways.
KBR is uniquely positioned to lead this transition. Over half of the world’s licensed ammonia production capacity utilizes KBR’s technologies. As the industry moves toward net-zero, KBR continues to develop and deploy next-generation solutions that enable cleaner, more energy-efficient ammonia production.
Technologies Designed for a Phased Transition
KBR’s technology portfolio enables producers to act now while building toward a low-carbon future:
- H2KPlus™
A scalable, high-efficiency SMR-based hydrogen production technology that offers low capital cost, high-purity hydrogen, and built-in readiness for carbon capture integration. - PurifierPlus™
A world-scale ammonia production technology designed for cost-effective grey ammonia today—with the flexibility to evolve into low-carbon production through future upgrades.
These future-ready solutions allow operators to begin with lower CAPEX investments while maintaining a clear and cost-effective pathway to decarbonization.
The Blueprint: Transitioning to Near-Zero Emissions
KBR’s phased approach minimizes both upfront costs and future retrofit challenges. Starting with a “blue-ready” design—at just 75% of the total CAPEX of a fully blue facility—producers can transition in steps:
Step 1 – Process CO₂ Capture (~85% CAPEX)
Add CO₂ compression and purification systems to capture 70–80% of process emissions.
Result: Carbon intensity below 3 kg CO₂e/kg H₂—qualifying under global standards like IRA 45Q.
Step 2 – Flue Gas CO₂ Capture (~100% CAPEX)
Integrate post-combustion capture technology to achieve over 99% total CO₂ capture.
Result: Carbon intensity below 0.1 kg CO₂e/kg H₂—qualifying under all major international low-carbon hydrogen frameworks.
Importantly, these technologies are designed from the outset with space and integration points for carbon capture upgrades—minimizing retrofit complexity and operational disruptions.
A Completely Commercialized Solution
KBR’s SMR technologies are at technology readiness level 9 – fully commercial, fully deployed, and fully ready to lead. They embody a flexible, cost-effective path from today’s economic realities to tomorrow’s decarbonized world.
With minimal retrofit requirements and a proven, low-risk approach, KBR offers a commercially attractive path to decarbonization – starting today.
KBR’s clean ammonia and hydrogen solutions are built to enable the future – step by step, from affordable to sustainable.
