Plasma2x

Plasma2x is a chemical technology company founded in 2023 as a spin-out from the University of Liverpool, building on extensive research in plasma reactor and electrochemical cell technology. The company is headquartered in Daresbury, UK, and operates within the agricultural chemicals and clean energy sectors. Plasma2x is developing a process to produce nitrogen-based chemicals like ammonia, nitric acid, and ammonium nitrate using only air, water, and renewable electricity. This technology directly addresses the environmental impact of traditional chemical production, particularly the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia, which is energy-intensive, relies on fossil fuels, and accounts for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions.

The core of the Plasma2x offering is a patent-pending, modular plasma reactor that enables a decentralized production model. The process begins by feeding air into the reactor, where plasma activates nitrogen and oxygen to form nitrogen oxides. These oxides are then dissolved in water to create nitric acid, which is subsequently reduced via electrocatalysis to produce ammonia. A key feature of this system is its ability to operate at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, removing the need for expensive metal catalysts and the harsh conditions required by conventional methods. This operational flexibility allows for rapid start-up and shutdown, making it highly compatible with intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The modular design supports scalable production, enabling businesses to generate chemicals on-site and closer to the point of need, thereby reducing reliance on complex supply chains.

The company's primary clients include industries that rely on ammonia and its derivatives, such as agriculture for fertilizers, chemical manufacturing, and the maritime sector, which is exploring green ammonia as a carbon-free fuel. By decoupling nitric acid production from ammonia as a feedstock, the technology offers a more streamlined and potentially cheaper manufacturing process. For facilities like ammonium nitrate plants, Plasma2x reactors could replace existing Ostwald reactors, integrating with much of the current infrastructure and minimizing upgrade costs. The venture has received backing from the Net Zero Technology Centre through its TechX Clean Energy Accelerator program and was recognized as a 'One to Watch' on the 2024 LCR Tech Climbers list.

Keywords: green ammonia, nitric acid production, plasma electrocatalysis, decentralized chemical production, nitrogen fixation, sustainable fertilizer, renewable energy chemicals, agricultural technology, clean fuel, Haber-Bosch alternative, plasma reactor, water-based ammonia synthesis, ammonium nitrate, maritime fuel, chemical engineering, cleantech, net-zero technology, air-to-fertilizer