Name

Tsubame BHB

Legal name

つばめBHB株式会社 (Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://tsubame-bhb.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Ammonia Synthesis Equipment

NAICS

Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (325311), Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, UAN, Ammonium Nitrate/Sulfate) (AFABABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Waste-to-Energy (Non-Hazardous Process Wastes) (EUACAIAI), Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia/Urea/UAN) (IMAEAEAA), Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)

Keywords

• Small-scale ammonia plants
• On-site ammonia production
• Electride catalyst technology
• Green ammonia equipment
• Modular ammonia synthesis

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Modular ammonia synthesis plant sales: Sale of small-scale, modular ammonia synthesis equipment (500, 3,000, 5,000+ tons/year standard models) directly to industrial customers. First commercial order (500-ton) delivered to INPEX's Kashiwazaki Hydrogen Park in 2025 with trial production underway.
2. Catalyst and process licensing: Long-term ambition stated in the 2023 CEO New Year address: 'securing position as Japan's first ammonia licensor' — licensing catalyst and process technology to partners for global deployment alongside dedicated plant sales.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tsubame BHB designs, manufactures, and sells standardized, modular small-scale ammonia synthesis plants based on its proprietary electride catalyst technology licensed from Tokyo Institute of Science. Standard production models are 500 tons/year (TM-500), 3,000 tons/year (TM-3000), and 5,000+ tons/year (TM-5000), with larger 20,000-ton systems also pursued for international projects. The plants replace the century-old Haber-Bosch process by enabling ammonia synthesis at lower temperature and pressure, allowing on-site distributed production of green and blue ammonia for energy, fertilizer, and agriculture customers.

Product overview

Tsubame BHB's offering is a single integrated technology platform for distributed, on-site ammonia production, built around its proprietary electride catalyst and packaged as standardized small-scale ammonia synthesis modules. The portfolio consists of: (1) the Electride Catalyst Technology as the core chemistry; (2) the Small-Scale Ammonia Synthesis Module (the standardized on-site production unit) in three capacity variants — TM-500 (500 tons/year), TM-3000 (3,000 tons/year) and TM-5000 (5,000 tons/year); (3) the Energy-Saving Ammonia Production Process with Separation Membrane, which adds a Mitsubishi Chemical Group separation membrane to the module to cut power consumption by approximately 20% and reach 95%+ ammonia concentration; and (4) downstream applications such as Recycled Low-Carbon Nitrogen Fertilizer, where the on-site ammonia is used as a feedstock. Together, these products replace the century-old Haber-Bosch paradigm with a modular, small-scale, low-temperature/low-pressure "local production for local consumption" model aimed at decarbonization and food security.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small-Scale Ammonia Synthesis Module (On-Site Ammonia Production Module) Standardized, compact and modular on-site ammonia synthesis module using Tsubame BHB's proprietary electride catalyst, designed for small-scale, efficient ammonia production at low temperature and low pressure. Available in 500 t/y, 3,000 t/y, and 5,000+ t/y capacity models for energy, fertilizer, and agriculture customers.
• TM-500 Ammonia Synthesis Module (500 tons/year model) The 500 tons-per-year annual production capacity model of Tsubame BHB's small ammonia synthesis equipment. First deployed commercially at INPEX's Kashiwazaki Hydrogen Park as part of Japan's first demonstration of next-generation blue hydrogen-based ammonia production encompassing the full CCUS chain.
• TM-3000 Ammonia Synthesis Module (3,000 tons/year model) The 3,000 tons-per-year annual production capacity model of Tsubame BHB's small ammonia synthesis equipment, designed as a compact, modular unit for distributed on-site deployment and exhibited as the company's reference product at international conferences.
• TM-5000 Ammonia Synthesis Module (5,000+ tons/year model) The 5,000+ tons-per-year annual production capacity model of Tsubame BHB's small ammonia synthesis equipment, planned for larger-scale deployments and international markets.
• Energy-Saving Ammonia Production Process with Separation Membrane Process technology integrating Mitsubishi Chemical Group's zeolite separation membrane into Tsubame BHB's ammonia manufacturing process; eliminates the need for a chiller unit, reduces power consumption by ~20%, achieves ammonia concentration of 95%+ in permeated gas, and enables ~20% CO2 emission reduction with fossil power or ~25% more ammonia output with the same renewable power input.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~20% reduction in ammonia manufacturing power consumption via integration of Mitsubishi Chemical separation membrane
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's publicly-recruited 'Tokyo-produced Green Hydrogen-based Nitrogen Fertilizer Manufacturing Project' and signed an agreement (May 2026) for project implementation. Tsubame BHB will receive green hydrogen from Tokyo's Green Hydrogen Production Plant in Keihinjima, Ota-ku (opened October 2025) and produce ammonia at its pilot plant, with partner companies producing nitrogen fertilizer. Project period: April 2026 – March 2027.
• Atvos Agroindustrial Participações S.A.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025Signed a Letter of Intent (April 2025) for a 20,000 ton/year green aqueous ammonia factory at Atvos's Morro Vermelho Unit (UMV) in Mineiros (GO), Brazil, replacing fossil-based nitrogen fertilizers at UMV and Alto Taquari Unit (UAT) and avoiding ~11,000 tons CO2/year. The LOI was witnessed by Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba and Brazilian President Lula da Silva at the Japan-Brazil Economic Forum (March 26, 2025).
• Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024Established the 'Tsubame BHB Green Ammonia Collaborative Research Hub' (June 2024) with the Open Innovation Organization. Joint research on high-efficiency catalysts for ammonia synthesis and ammonia-derived compounds, building on the work of Professor Hideo Hosono (Honorary Professor / International Frontier Research Institute, MDX Research Center). The academic parent institution where the electride catalyst was discovered. Tsubame BHB also operates a research facility on the Tokyo University of Science campus.
• Agri Laos Co., Ltd. and State Enterprise for Agriculture Service (SAS, Laos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2023Signed a Letter of Intent (December 2023) for an offtake agreement for low-carbon fertilizer in Laos. Tsubame BHB and Agri Laos will form a Special Purpose Company (SPC) to develop a project using Laos's hydropower to produce green hydrogen, green ammonia, and low-carbon fertilizer; SAS will offtake the fertilizer for domestic and export sale. Signed at the Japan-ASEAN Economic Co-creation Forum on the sidelines of the Japan-ASEAN Special Summit.
• Mitsubishi ChemicalcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 June 2023Joint evaluation (announced December 2020, with major results in June 2023) of Mitsubishi Chemical's separation membrane in Tsubame BHB's ammonia synthesis process. The integration achieved ~20% reduction in manufacturing power and 95%+ ammonia concentration in permeate gas, confirming a path to energy-saving ammonia production.
• Masdar Green Hydrogen (UAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2023Signed an MOU (June 2023) at the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum for joint evaluation of green ammonia production using Masdar-supplied green hydrogen and Tsubame BHB's low-temperature, low-pressure process. Witnessed by UAE MoIAT, Japan's METI, and Universal Materials Incubator. Masdar targets producing up to 1 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
• UTEM (Ukraine) and City of Bucha, UkrainecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2023Tsubame BHB joined (May 2023) the Green Industrial Zone project in Bucha, Ukraine, a 3,000-hectare local production for local consumption (LPLC) project producing hydrogen, ammonia, fertilizer, power, and fuel from renewable energy. Hynfra (Poland) and UTEM (Ukraine) lead the initial 300-hectare Green Hydrogen Generation project. Tsubame BHB will study use of its small-scale ammonia synthesis equipment in the project. MOU signed at the Japan-Ukraine Public-Private Roundtable in London (June 2023).
• INPEX CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2023INPEX is Tsubame BHB's first commercial customer and a 2022 equity investor. In January 2023, Tsubame BHB received an order (via Dai-ichi Jitsugyo) to supply a 500 ton/year ammonia synthesis module for INPEX's blue hydrogen/ammonia demonstration at Kashiwazaki Hydrogen Park in Niigata. Trial production commenced in late 2025/early 2026, marking Japan's first demonstration of next-generation blue ammonia production with the full CCUS chain.
• Hynfra P.S.A. (Poland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2022Signed an MOU (December 2022) for joint economic and technical evaluation of small-scale, distributed green ammonia production using Tsubame BHB's electride catalyst technology for the heating sector, hydrogen storage, and renewable energy storage applications. Hynfra is a Polish systems integrator focused on green hydrogen production. In 2023, Hynfra and UTEM (Ukraine) co-developed the Green Industrial Zone project in Bucha, Ukraine (3,000-hectare LPLC), where Tsubame BHB will study use of its small-scale ammonia synthesis equipment.
• Lao PDR Ministry of Energy and MinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2022Signed an MOU (June 2022) for a cooperation survey on the introduction of Tsubame BHB's small-scale ammonia synthesis device in Laos, supporting green ammonia and green fertilizer manufacturing using Laos's hydropower. Part of the JICA SME/SDGs Business Support Scheme feasibility study on using surplus hydropower for local fertilizer production.
• Dai-ichi Jitsugyo Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 June 2021Acting as prime contractor (EPC) for the INPEX Kashiwazaki ammonia plant, responsible for the entire plant construction. Dai-ichi Jitsugyo also participated as an equity investor in the 2021 ¥400M funding round. Plans to leverage its 34-location global network as a 'next-generation engineering trading company' to support diffusion of on-site ammonia production equipment.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Starfire Energy: US-based company developing distributed, small-scale ammonia synthesis using proprietary catalysts and plasma-based processes. Most directly comparable to Tsubame BHB on the 'small-scale, on-site ammonia for distributed fertilizer and fuel' thesis.
• Topsoe: Danish process technology licensor and catalyst manufacturer with a leading position in conventional ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. Direct competitor in ammonia process/catalyst IP, with an active push into SOEC electrolyzer-based green ammonia that overlaps Tsubame BHB's downstream customer set.
• Casale: Swiss ammonia and methanol process licensor offering both revamp and new-plant technologies. Direct comparable as a competing ammonia process technology provider pursuing low-carbon ammonia and small-to-mid scale plants.

Broad incumbents

• thyssenkrupp nucera: German electrolyzer specialist scaling into green hydrogen and green ammonia projects globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering integrated water-electrolysis-to-ammonia solutions at multiple scales, including the NEOM green ammonia project.
• Yara International: World's largest nitrogen fertilizer producer and a major ammonia player actively pursuing green/blue ammonia. Comparable as a customer-class incumbent whose fertilizer customers (e.g., Atvos-equivalents) are the same decarbonization buyers Tsubame BHB targets.
• Nel ASA: Norwegian electrolyzer company developing both large- and small-scale green hydrogen and ammonia solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering small-scale containerized ammonia and competing for distributed green ammonia projects.
• Air Products: Major industrial gas and hydrogen/ammonia producer building megascale green hydrogen and ammonia projects (Louisiana NEOM, etc.). Comparable as a broad incumbent shaping the supply-side economics for green ammonia that Tsubame BHB's small-scale model must compete against.
• CF Industries: North American nitrogen fertilizer and ammonia producer with major CCS-ammonia projects. Comparable as a customer-class incumbent in the global nitrogen fertilizer value chain that Tsubame BHB's distributed low-carbon ammonia technology is positioned to supply or partner with.

Emerging players

• AMOGY: US-based startup commercializing ammonia cracking and ammonia-powered heavy mobility. Comparable as an emerging player in the distributed-ammonia value chain with adjacent (cracking, not synthesis) technology and similar decarbonization customer profile.
• Hydrogenious LOHC: German startup commercializing liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology for hydrogen storage and transport. Comparable as an emerging deep-tech player addressing hydrogen logistics — an alternative pathway to ammonia-as-hydrogen-carrier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Tsubame_BHB

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors16 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tsubame BHB