Ammonia’s Decarbonisation Potential, and the UK’s Import Dilemma

by Anne Bannerman | Oct 28, 2025

In an open letter to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), a coalition of twelve organisations representing energy, transport, and heavy industry has urged the government to recognise ammonia’s “vital role” in decarbonising energy-intensive sectors, supporting maritime transport, and strengthening national energy security.

The message is clear: ammonia is not just a fertiliser feedstock, it is emerging as a flexible carrier of hydrogen, a carbon-free fuel for shipping, and a potential backbone of industrial decarbonisation. Yet, the UK faces a fundamental question: how can a nation that currently imports nearly all of its ammonia leverage this opportunity without deepening its reliance on foreign supply chains?

Ammonia’s Expanding Role

Ammonia’s appeal lies in its versatility. It can be used directly as a maritime fuel, converted back into hydrogen for use in turbines or fuel cells, or integrated into industrial processes with minimal carbon output. Ports such as Teesside and Immingham are already positioning themselves as potential import hubs for low-carbon ammonia, while major shipping players are trialling ammonia-powered engines.

The signatories of the open letter, which include representatives from the chemical, energy, and maritime sectors, argue that ammonia infrastructure could accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition and help decarbonise shipping routes critical to global trade.

The Import Paradox

However, the UK’s current dependency on ammonia imports raises strategic concerns. Over 80% of the ammonia used domestically is sourced abroad, much of it from regions with higher carbon footprints and volatile energy markets. Building an ammonia economy on imports risks substituting one form of energy dependence for another.

To align with its decarbonisation and energy security goals, the government will need to foster domestic production capacity, powered by green hydrogen, rather than relying solely on imported low-carbon ammonia. Without such investment, the UK could find itself in a precarious position: importing a fuel marketed as “clean,” but produced using fossil-based hydrogen overseas.

Balancing Policy and Pragmatism

The open letter may therefore complicate government decision-making. On one hand, encouraging ammonia adoption aligns with the UK’s Net Zero Strategy and maritime decarbonisation commitments. On the other hand, policymakers must weigh the risks of import dependence against the benefits of rapid decarbonisation.

The DESNZ faces a choice between immediate integration — using imports to jumpstart ammonia’s role in clean energy — and a more strategic approach focused on building domestic production capacity, R&D, and portside bunkering infrastructure.

A Strategic Opportunity

Ultimately, ammonia offers the UK a bridge between hydrogen innovation and industrial decarbonisation. But if the government wishes to turn that bridge into a foundation, it must ensure that Britain is not merely a customer in the global ammonia economy, but a producer, innovator, and exporter.

As the open letter reminds us, ammonia’s potential is vast. The question is whether the UK’s policy framework will be equally ambitious in securing it.

The 12 signatories of the open letter to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) calling for recognition of low-carbon ammonia are:

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