AFC Energy, Komatsu team up to deploy ammonia cracking for heavy vehicle engines

Click to learn more about AFC Energy and Komatsu’s new partnership to deploy ammonia cracking technology for heavy vehicle engines. Source: Komatsu.

Japan-based Komatsu, a global leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment, will work with UK-based AFC Energy to design and integrate AFC’s ammonia cracking technology with a Komatsu industrial internal combustion diesel engine. Not only will the $2 million partnership investigate the technical feasibility, but it aims to demonstrate that “an internal combustion engine can be run on liquid ammonia with minimal changes necessary”, and complete the partnership with an “ammonia-fueled engine platform” design capable of scaled production.

This JDA further underpins our strategy to deliver commercially viable hydrogen-to-power solutions without government subsidy through the introduction of our technology into an additional vertical with a significant addressable market. We look forward to developing further our commercial relationship with Komatsu and using our technology to help heavy industry to decarbonise its operations.

John Wilson, CEO of AFC Energy, in his organisation’s official press release, 10 Feb 2026

We are very pleased to be working with AFC Energy and its leading ammonia cracking technology to further explore measures to decarbonise our fleets of equipment. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable society and facilitate business growth. We envisage AFC Energy’s ammonia cracking technology as potentially playing an important role in fulfilling our goal.

Taisuke Kusaba, Chief Technology Officer of Komatsu Ltd., in AFC’s official press release, 10 Feb 2026

Last year saw AFC Energy launch a new brand – Hyamtech – which will lead deployment of the Hy-5 system, a containerised, “plug and play” ammonia cracking module with a 500 kg/day hydrogen production capacity. A joint venture between AFC Energy and Industrial Chemicals Group Limited (ICL) will see the latter acquire AFC Energy’s pilot ammonia cracking plant in Surrey, with initial revenues from hydrogen sales expected in early 2026. AFC was also a founding member of the UK Ammonia Alliance, an advocacy body working with policymakers.