University of Twente Coordinates Major Dutch Research Programme to Develop Green Ammonia and Nitrogen Recovery Technologies

University of Twente Coordinates Major Dutch Research Programme to Develop Green Ammonia and Nitrogen Recovery Technologies

(IN BRIEF) The University of Twente is coordinating HyNITROGEN, a €20.3 million research consortium focused on developing green production and recovery routes for ammonia and other nitrogen-based chemicals. The initiative is part of Work Package 5 of the GroenvermogenNL programme on Green Nitrogen Chemistry and is funded by NWO through the National Growth Fund, with an additional €6 million in co-funding from industrial partners. HyNITROGEN brings together more than 40 companies, universities and research institutes to reduce the chemical sector’s reliance on natural gas, support green ammonia production, and develop nitrogen recovery technologies using renewable electricity, green hydrogen and nitrogen from the air. The programme will work on catalysts, electrocatalysis, plasma-based processes and separation technologies, while also exploring nitrogen recovery from wastewater for circular agriculture and cleaner water systems. Led by Prof. Jimmy Faria Albanese of the University of Twente, with technical management from Wageningen University & Research and Delft University of Technology, the consortium is also designed to strengthen the Dutch economy, support sustainable industrial competitiveness and train the next generation of engineers, scientists and technical specialists for the energy transition.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, 28-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Twente is coordinating HyNITROGEN, a major new research consortium focused on developing sustainable routes for the production and recovery of ammonia and other nitrogen-based chemicals. The initiative forms Work Package 5 of the GroenvermogenNL programme on Green Nitrogen Chemistry and brings together more than 40 companies, universities and research institutes.

The consortium has received €20.3 million in subsidy from NWO through the National Growth Fund programme GroenvermogenNL. The funding was made possible with strong support from industrial partners, which have committed an additional €6 million in co-funding to support the initiative.

Nitrogen-based chemicals are widely used across society, including in fertilisers, medicines, refrigerants and plastics. However, most are currently produced using natural gas. Fertiliser production alone accounts for a significant share of the Netherlands’ total gas demand. By shifting production towards green hydrogen and renewable electricity, the chemical sector could reduce carbon dioxide emissions while also lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels.

HyNITROGEN aims to address one of the central challenges in sustainable chemistry: how to modernise nitrogen chemistry at scale while maintaining industrial reliability and economic competitiveness. The project will explore and develop low-carbon, energy-efficient technologies that can move from laboratory research towards pilot-scale applications.

Jimmy Faria Albanese, main applicant and coordinator of HyNITROGEN at the University of Twente, said nitrogen fertilisers support food production for almost half of the global population, but their production requires large amounts of natural gas. He noted that the consortium brings together the critical mass, industrial partners and technological breadth needed to move closer to scalable processes for green ammonia production, nitrogen recovery and nitrogen reuse.

The dominant process for producing ammonia remains the Haber-Bosch process, a technology developed more than a century ago. It converts nitrogen from the air into reactive nitrogen that can be used in fertilisers to improve crop yields. Although highly optimised, the process relies on hydrogen derived from natural gas and operates at high temperatures and pressures.

HyNITROGEN will focus on overcoming the technical barriers that emerge when ammonia production is connected to renewable hydrogen and green electricity. It will also advance alternative routes such as electrocatalysis and plasma-based processes, which use green electrons to generate ammonia but have so far faced limitations in energy efficiency and scalability.

The consortium will work on technologies for green ammonia production using renewable electricity, green hydrogen and nitrogen from the air. It will also develop methods for recovering nitrogen from wastewater, turning a major environmental challenge into a usable raw material for circular agriculture and cleaner water systems.

The research programme will include new catalysts, electrocatalytic processes, plasma technologies and improved separation methods. These innovations are intended to help move green nitrogen chemistry from a promising scientific concept toward scalable and commercially relevant technology.

HyNITROGEN also aims to strengthen the Dutch economy by building on the Netherlands’ established strengths in the chemical industry and wastewater technology. By involving Dutch and European industry, SMEs and knowledge institutes, the project is designed to help create a technology base for a chemical sector that remains competitive in a sustainable future.

A further objective of the programme is to train the next generation of technical specialists, engineers and scientists who will support the energy transition. Students and researchers from universities of applied sciences and research universities across the Netherlands will gain experience in both existing industrial practices and the emerging technologies being developed through HyNITROGEN.

Industry and societal stakeholders will be involved from the beginning of the project to assess benefits, risks and impacts. This approach is intended to build wider public support for the transition to sustainable chemistry and ensure that the technologies developed are aligned with industrial, environmental and societal needs.

HyNITROGEN, formally titled Green Nitrogen Valorization Technologies for Sustainable Energy, Fertilizers, and Chemicals, is led by Prof. Jimmy Faria Albanese of the University of Twente. Technical managers include Prof. Harry Bitter of Wageningen University & Research and Prof. Fokko Mulder of Delft University of Technology.

The consortium includes a broad group of partners from academia, applied sciences, industry and technology development, including Avans University of Applied Sciences, Bosal Netherlands, Casale SA, CATALYZER, CatOlyst B.V., CIRCONICA, DIFFER, Division Q, Ebert Hera, ETB Global, Fluidwell, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, Hauzer Techno Coating B.V., Hyet NoCarbon, IHI Europe Ltd., Johnson Matthey, MEVALDI B.V., N2 Applied, Nijhuis Water Technology B.V., Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V., Nouryon, ON2Quest, Port of Rotterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen, STTLS, TNO, TOLSA NETHERLANDS B.V., TOLSA S.A., Topsoe R&D, Business Centre Treeport, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Umicore AG & Co KG., University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Maastricht University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VITALFLUID and Wageningen University & Research.

GroenvermogenNL is the Dutch National Growth Fund programme focused on green assets for the economy and society. The programme supports the role of green hydrogen in the transition to sustainable energy and runs until 2030, with implementation by NWO

About HyNITROGEN

HyNITROGEN – Green Nitrogen Valorization Technologies for Sustainable Energy, Fertilizers, and Chemicals
Main applicant: Prof. Jimmy Faria Albanese – University of Twente
Technical managers: Prof. Harry Bitter – Wageningen University & Research, Prof. Fokko Mulder – Delft University of Technology

Consortium partners: Avans University of Applied Sciences, Bosal Netherlands, Casale SA, CATALYZER, CatOlyst B.V., CIRCONICA, DIFFER, Division Q, Ebert Hera, ETB Global, Fluidwell, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, Hauzer Techno Coating B.V., Hyet NoCarbon, IHI Europe Ltd., Johnson Matthey, MEVALDI B.V., N2 Applied, Nijhuis Water Technology B.V., Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V., Nouryon, ON2Quest, Port of Rotterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen, STTLS, TNO, TOLSA NETHERLANDS B.V., TOLSA S.A., Topsoe R&D, Business Centre Treeport, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Umicore AG & Co KG., University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Maastricht University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VITALFLUID, Wageningen University & Research.

About GroenvermogenNL

The National Growth Fund programme GroenvermogenNL is the Dutch investment programme for green assets in the economy and society. Green hydrogen is intended to drive the transition to sustainable energy. The programme runs until 2030 and is implemented by NWO.

Media Contacts:

prof.dr. J.A. Faria Albanese (Jimmy)
Prof. dr. ir.
+31534897115
j.a.fariaalbanese@utwente.nl
Building: Horst Complex ME361

K.W. Wesselink – Schram MSc (Kees)
Science Communication Officer (available Mon-Fri)
+31 53 489 9311
k.w.wesselink@utwente.nl
Building: Spiegel Tuin

SOURCE: University of Twente