Tsubame BHB begins ammonia supply via commercial-scale demonstration plant

Tsubame BHB, a deep-tech company originating from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, has commenced the production and supply of ammonia through a commercial-scale demonstration plant. The facility is located at an INPEX demonstration site in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, as part of a blue hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing and utilization project.

The plant utilizes proprietary electride catalyst technology, which allows for ammonia synthesis at significantly lower temperatures (300-400°C) and lower pressures (3-5 MPa) compared to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. This technological advancement enables the design of smaller, safer, and more decentralized “on-site” production plants that can be placed near points of demand.

Since October 22, 2026, the ammonia produced at this site has been supplied by INPEX to Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. This marks the first instance of the company’s technology being utilized for ammonia production and external supply at a commercial scale. The company aims to use this decentralized production model to enhance food and energy security by reducing reliance on long-distance imports and volatile international markets.