Revolutionising Ammonia Production for a Sustainable Future
Nium's innovative approach focuses on on-site ammonia synthesis, using small-scale, low-energy-consumption reactors called "minions." These reactors significantly reduce costs and carbon emissions associated with traditional ammonia production methods.
Ammonia is a critical component in global food production, with approximately 70% used in creating fertilisers. However, the prevalent use of the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production has posed severe environmental challenges. Nium aims to be a key player in the shift towards cleaner and more cost-effective ammonia production.
Lewis Jenkins, CEO, and co-founder of Nium expressed the company's ambitious vision, stating, "Our patents are filed on a technology that allows you to make ammonia without the costs and emissions. We want to eliminate Haber-Bosch altogether."
Addressing Energy Intensity and Carbon Footprint
The Haber-Bosch process, accounting for 96% of global ammonia production, is known for its high energy intensity, consuming nearly 2% of the world's energy usage and emitting over 450 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Nium's "low-temperature, low-pressure ammonia synthesis" aims to deliver ammonia at a fraction of the cost and pollution associated with conventional methods.
AgFunder and DCVC, recognising the transformative potential of Nium's technology, are making a strategic investment to support the development of these revolutionary reactors. AgFunder's Partner, Tom Shields, emphasised the significance of Nium's technology, stating, "Nium's revolutionary technology produces emission-free green ammonia, both as a feedstock for our food and an enabler for the hydrogen economy."
Green Ammonia Technology: Beyond Fertilisers
Nium's technology addresses the challenges of ammonia production for fertilisers and extends its applications to the hydrogen economy. The company plans to provide its "Green Ammonia on Demand" system to hydrogen producers, offering solutions to the challenges associated with hydrogen transportation, storage, and regulatory complexities.
Jenkins explained, "We spoke to hydrogen providers and discovered we had product market fit around solving storage and transport issues." Nium's decentralised approach involves placing reactors on-site with hydrogen producers, reducing costs for long-term storage and long-distance transport.
A Sustainable Future for Food and Farming
Nium's long-term vision extends beyond ammonia production, envisioning a self-sustaining fuel and fertiliser source for farms worldwide. By utilising solar and wind energy to generate hydrogen on-site, Nium aims to create a system that eliminates emissions at every stage of food production.
In conclusion, the successful seed round, led by AgFunder and DCVC, positions Nium as a key player in reshaping the future of ammonia production. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Nium is poised to impact the global food and energy landscape significantly.
Nium, the UK-based nanotechnology startup, has secured a $3 million seed round in a strategic investment led by AgFunder in collaboration with DCVC (Data Collective). The funds will drive the development of Nium's groundbreaking "Clean Ammonia on Demand" system, aimed at transforming ammonia production by eliminating the environmentally taxing Haber-Bosch process.
