Metacon via Pherousa Receives Initial Approval in Principle from ABS and DNV for Ammonia Cracking

STOCKHOLM, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Metacon has, through its shareholding in Norwegian Pherousa AS ("Pherousa"), received two initial Approvals in Principle (AiP) for its Ammonia Cracking technology, exclusively licensed to Pherousa for use onboard ships, granted by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV on an independent evaluation basis.

The AiPs come with no show-stopper conditions, affirming the viability and safety of the Pherousa Ammonia Cracking technology onboard ships with PEM Fuel Cells and Fuel Gas Supply Systems (FGSS), generating fully electrical propulsion. DNV and ABS are the world's two largest maritime classification societies in terms of share of the total global fleet by gross tonnage.

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This milestone achievement marks a significant step forward in the development of sustainable, emission-free propulsion solutions for the maritime industry. Key partners in the work towards the two AiPs include ship designer Deltamarin, the flag state Marshall Islands, FGSS supplier Babcock International, as well as Metacon. For additional information, visit www.pherousa.no.

Pherousa holds an exclusive license to Metacon's ammonia cracking technology for maritime use onboard vessels. Pherousa, together with Metacon and other partners, is developing this innovative Ammonia Cracking technology based on Metacon's HIWAR® technology. The overall goal is to enable fossil-free and zero-emission propulsion within the short- to deep-sea maritime transport sectors. Unlike conventional fuels, ammonia is a non-explosive liquid that carries a significant amount of clean hydrogen energy. If technology is developed to utilize the contained hydrogen, it can be used to drive new types of engines onboard. Therefore, ammonia as a fuel presents a promising solution for carbon-free maritime transportation.

"Ammonia is gaining momentum as a hydrogen carrier for technology application onboard vessels, from coastal to deep-sea shipping. In parallel with this development, Clean Ammonia could potentially make up about 13 percent of the global ammonia supply by 2030. The AiPs now allow Pherousa to continue the design and construction of the zero-emission series of 64,000 dwt Bulk Carriers earmarked for the Copper industry. Only ships that have no carbon fuels onboard can ensure the end-users that the copper utilized for solar panels or electric cars is free of emissions in its supply chain," according to Hans Bredrup, Chairman of Pherousa AS.

The Pherousa subsidiary, Pherousa Shipping, has worked closely with two major copper miners during the design process of the Ultramax 64,000 dwt vessel to find the optimal layout for emission-free transportation of copper concentrates between its origin and the smelters. These vessels are intended to be operational by 2030, aligning with the new IMO regulation that comes into force that year, allowing the cargo industry to transition to fully emission-free transportation of goods across the oceans.

The patented Ammonia Cracking HIWAR®-based reactor by Metacon is designed to efficiently convert ammonia into high-quality hydrogen fuel. Through its exclusive license agreement with Pherousa for use onboard ships, this represents a major leap forward in sustainable maritime energy, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in the industry.

The Metacon-Pherousa Ammonia Cracking technology can be applied to various developed applications, such as:

• Supplying hydrogen to PEM Fuel Cells.

• Replacing conventional fuels with hydrogen as pilot fuel in ammonia-fueled Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs).

• Supplying hydrogen for Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2 ICEs), achieving 100% emission-free propulsion.

• Supplying hydrogen to auxiliary engines to reduce or eliminate emissions.

Any of these four alternatives hold the potential for onboard integration across various vessel types with an engine power of up to 15-20 MW.

"I am very pleased to see the fast continued progress in Pherousa for the use and development of our Ammonia Cracking technology in the maritime sector. Ammonia remains the only CO2-free solution for deep-sea shipping decarbonization, with both fuel cell and combustion engine options for marine drivetrains. The partnership structure around Pherousa is powerful, and AiP from both ABS and DNV is a significant milestone and gamechanger towards commercialization," says Christer Wikner, President & CEO of Metacon and board director of Pherousa.

About Metacon AB (publ)

Metacon AB (publ) develops and manufactures energy systems for the production of fossil-free 'green' hydrogen. The products in the Reforming business unit are based on patented technology that generates hydrogen through catalytic steam reforming of biogas or other hydrocarbons. Development of Metacon's reforming products is carried out within its wholly owned subsidiary, Metacon S.A., in Patras, Greece. The business is focused on catalytic process chemistry and advanced reformers for high-efficiency hydrogen production.

Metacon also offers complete electrolysis plants to produce hydrogen and integrated hydrogen refueling stations, a rapidly growing global segment within green hydrogen. Electrolysis is a process of splitting water using electricity, and when powered by fossil-free electricity, the resulting hydrogen is 100% climate-neutral ('green hydrogen'). Green hydrogen can be used in transportation, industry, and real estate, contributing to a cleaner environment and reducing global carbon emissions.

About Pherousa

Pherousa is a Norwegian technology company within the maritime industry, addressing hydrogen storage challenges and enabling cleaner, greener deep-sea shipping. Its groundbreaking ammonia-based technology, developed by shareholders Metacon S.A. in Greece, provides a pathway to carbon-free shipping. Since ammonia contains no carbon molecules, it is emerging as the superior hydrogen carrier for maritime applications.

For further details, visit www.metacon.se or www.pherousa.no.