A revision to AFC’s research and development permit advances the commercialisation of its Dunsfold ammonia-to-hydrogen pilot facility in Surrey, which the company says can produce up to 300kg per day.

John Wilson, CEO of AFC, said the new approval would advance the company’s revenue generation by “a number of months.”

Ammonia cracking will underpin the company’s business model, which looks to supply fuel cell generators and hydrogen cracked from ammonia on-site to end-users.

AFC is also progressing hydrogen production in collaboration with its joint-venture (JV) partner, Industrial Chemicals Group (ICL).

The pair aims to establish production through a number of AFC’s Hy-5 ammonia crackers – designed to produce 500kg per day – at ICL’s Middlesbrough site.

The JV is engaged with the Environment Agency to create a framework for future sales and export permissions.

AFC claims its ammonia cracking technology will unlock low-cost green hydrogen supply in markets like the UK, where it argues high power prices make electrolysis uncompetitive.

The company has begun making inroads in the construction sector, supplying hydrogen fuel generators for building sites, and progressing ammonia-powered industrial heavy machinery in collaboration with Japanese powerhouse Komatsu.

However, the model does hinge on imports of low-carbon ammonia. The UK government currently does not recognise ammonia as a hydrogen carrier in its strategy.