Different types of ammonia

Answer

By Carbon Footprint & Production Method (Color Spectrum)

• Green Ammonia: Produced using 100% renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro). Hydrogen is generated via water electrolysis and combined with atmospheric nitrogen in the Haber-Bosch process. Zero lifecycle CO₂ footprint.
• Blue Ammonia: Produced from natural gas via Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) or Auto-Thermal Reforming (ATR), but 80-95% of the resulting CO₂ is captured and permanently stored using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
• Grey Ammonia: Conventional production from natural gas via SMR without carbon capture. Emits roughly 1.8-3.0 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of NH₃ produced.
• Brown / Black Ammonia: Highest carbon intensity; produced using coal gasification without CCS.
• Turquoise Ammonia: Produced via methane pyrolysis (CH₄ C + 2H₂ ) yielding solid carbon (carbon black) rather than CO₂ gas, combined with nitrogen
• Pink/red ammonia — hydrogen/electricity derived from nuclear energy.
• E-ammonia / renewable ammonia — generally ammonia made using renewable electricity-derived hydrogen.