What Proton Ventures does

Proton Ventures is an independent Dutch engineering company founded in 2001 in Schiedam, Netherlands, and operating since as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Koolen Industries clean-energy conglomerate. The firm is staffed by approximately 40 specialist engineers and is built around the green ammonia value chain: it designs and delivers modular ammonia production units (NFuel), world-scale ammonia storage and export terminals, ammonia cracking systems for hydrogen recovery at ports, and the TertiNOx tertiary catalyst system for NOx and N2O abatement in nitric acid plants (validated at 99% conversion at Kavala Fertilisers). The firm also holds an equity and development seat in the TU Delft spin-off Battolyser B.V., which integrates battery storage with electrolysis. Its flagship engineering capability covers feasibility studies, Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED), basic and detailed design, procurement, and turnkey construction, with specific expertise in extreme-environment terminal design (e.g., desert operation above 50°C in the UAE).

Commercially, Proton Ventures operates a project-based, enterprise-direct GTM targeting multinational energy majors (with Fichtner on a multi-region Southern Europe / South America / Africa feasibility), fertilizer and chemical producers (OCP Group turnkey storage in Morocco, SABIC green ammonia feasibility in Bergen op Zoom), port authorities and terminal operators (Port of Rotterdam, Vesta Terminals, Geldof for Western Africa, Port of Oakajee export study), and shipping-fuel consortia (Transhydrogen Alliance with Trammo DMCC and VARO Energy targeting up to 2.5 million tonnes/year green ammonia into Rotterdam). Revenue is generated through professional-services fees on multi-year contracts; pricing is bespoke per scope and not publicly disclosed. Channel reach is extended through consortium structures — including the Transhydrogen Alliance (Brazil Pecém with Casa dos Ventos and Comerc), Dii Desert Energy, the MENA Hydrogen Alliance, and the RVO Partners for International Business cluster in Chile — and through industry-association leadership (founder Hans Vrijenhoef as EVP of the Ammonia Energy Association). Recent operational milestones include the Morocco GAPP pilot (4 tonnes/day, PEM + alkaline electrolysers) and a new office in Schiedam operational since January 2026 alongside new project agreements in Serbia and Norway.

Name

Proton Ventures

Legal name

Proton Ventures Holding BV

Website

https://protonventures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Proton Ventures is an independent Dutch engineering firm, founded in 2001 and now part of Koolen Industries, that delivers turnkey green-ammonia value chain solutions — modular production units, storage terminals, crackers, and emissions controls — for energy majors, fertilizer producers, ports, and shipping-fuel consortia across Europe, MENA, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Engineering Services - Green Ammonia and Hydrogen

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (32512), Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (325311)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hydrogen Production Supply & Offtake (Green/Blue H2) for Utility Blending (EUAJAJAF)

Keywords

• Ammonia engineering services
• Green ammonia production
• Ammonia storage terminals
• Hydrogen value chain
• Ammonia cracker technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Schiedam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Turnkey Project Delivery: Proton Ventures generates revenue through providing engineering services, procurement, and turnkey project delivery for ammonia production units, storage terminals, and other process applications. Revenue is project-based, ranging from feasibility assessments through full construction and commissioning.
2. Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Studies: FEED studies delivered as standalone engineering engagements for clients developing ammonia infrastructure, including terminal repurposing, conceptual design, and scoping studies.
3. Feasibility Studies and Innovation Contracts: Proton Ventures conducts feasibility studies for green ammonia projects, winning innovation contracts such as the SABIC Hydrogen Challenge to investigate the possibility of green ammonia production plants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Proton Ventures delivers turnkey engineering solutions for the green ammonia and hydrogen value chain, including NFuel modular ammonia production units (combining electrolysis with Haber-Bosch synthesis), world-scale ammonia storage terminals (pressurized and refrigerated), ammonia cracking technology for hydrogen recovery, and the TertiNOx emissions control system for NOx and N2O removal. The firm provides Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, feasibility assessments, and full project execution for fertilizer producers, port authorities, energy companies, and industrial clients globally.

Product overview

Proton Ventures is an independent engineering company operating in the chemical industry that provides innovative engineering and turnkey solutions for the green ammonia and hydrogen value chain. The company's product portfolio centers around three interconnected core offerings: NFuel modular ammonia production units, ammonia storage terminals, and ammonia cracking technology. NFuel units produce green ammonia from renewable energy via electrolysis and Haber-Bosch synthesis. Storage terminals provide world-scale pressurized and refrigerated ammonia storage. Ammonia crackers convert ammonia back to hydrogen at ports. Supporting these are the TertiNOx emissions control system for NOx/N2O removal, project development and FEED study services, and participation in Battolyser technology development. The company also delivered the Green Ammonia Pilot Plant (GAPP) in Morocco as a flagship demonstration project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NFuel: Modular ammonia production units developed by Proton Ventures for decentralized green ammonia production using renewable energy, flared gases, or waste gases. NFuel plants produce green ammonia for fertilizer and energy applications.

Products and services

• NFuel Modular Ammonia Production Units Modular small-scale ammonia production units that produce green ammonia from renewable energy sources, combining hydrogen production via electrolysis with nitrogen separation and Haber-Bosch synthesis. Targeted at fertilizer producers, energy companies, and industrial clients seeking decentralized ammonia production.
• Ammonia Storage Terminals World-scale engineering, design, and construction of ammonia storage terminals including pressurized and refrigerated storage facilities for ammonia as an energy carrier and industrial chemical. Includes repurposing of existing tanks. Targeted at port authorities, terminal operators, and energy companies.
• TertiNOx Emissions Control System Combined NOx and N2O tertiary catalyst system for nitric acid plants achieving 99% conversion efficiency for both pollutants with ammonia slip below 5ppm, ensuring regulatory compliance for fertilizer and chemical producers.
• Ammonia Cracker Technology Large-scale ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker technology that converts ammonia back into hydrogen at ports and industrial sites, enabling the ammonia-to-hydrogen leg of the green hydrogen value chain. Targeted at ports, energy infrastructure, and industrial hydrogen consumers.
• Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Studies Standalone engineering studies delivered as FEED engagements for clients developing ammonia infrastructure, including terminal repurposing, conceptual design, scoping studies, and feasibility assessments. Targeted at terminal operators, port authorities, energy companies, and fertilizer producers.
• Project Development Services Comprehensive project development services encompassing conceptualization, feasibility assessment, business modeling, and consortium coordination for ammonia and hydrogen infrastructure projects across agriculture, energy, and chemical industries. Includes grant applications and consortium formation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Arenha pilot produces 10 cubic meters per hour of ammonia
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, strategic and core / flagship.

• GeldofmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 November 2023Proton Ventures in collaboration with Geldof was awarded a FEED contract for the first green ammonia terminal in Western Africa. Geldof contributes tank specialist expertise for the ammonia storage terminal project.
• OCP GroupmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 November 2023Proton Ventures, in consortium with SCIF and Engineering & Group IPS, was awarded a turnkey contract by OCP Group to design and build two refrigerated ammonia storage tanks in the Industrial Complex Jorf Lasfar, Morocco. The project enables OCP Group to increase fertilizer production to meet higher demand. Project to be finalized Q3 2024.
• Port of Rotterdam AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2023Proton Ventures was awarded a feasibility study contract by Port of Rotterdam for the Scoping and Conceptual Design of an Ammonia Export Terminal in Oakajee, Western Australia. 3 million tonnes of ammonia per year expected to be exported by 2030 to Port of Rotterdam. Proton worked with Intecsea (subsea pipelines) and Bluewater (SPM design).
• VOTOB (Dutch Association of Tank Storage Companies)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Proton Ventures was invited by VOTOB to join the working group revising the PGS-12 (Ammonia Storage and Loading) guidelines, alongside Vopak, OCI, and Yara International. The 4-chair workgroup aims to improve safety standards for ammonia storage as large quantities of hydrogen are imported as ammonia.
• Dii Desert EnergystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2023Proton Ventures became an Associated Partner of Dii Desert Energy and a Member of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance to expand collaborations throughout the ammonia value chain and accelerate the energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa region.
• MENA Hydrogen AlliancestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2023Proton Ventures became a Member of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance alongside becoming Associated Partner of Dii Desert Energy, expanding collaborations throughout the green ammonia value chain in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Vesta Terminals B.V.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2023Proton Ventures was awarded a Scoping, Feasibility study and FEED project by Vesta Terminals for repurposing two 30,000m³ ammonia tanks in Vlissingen, NL, for the first future-proof ammonia terminal of North-West Europe. Earlier, Uniper Global Commodities SE and Vesta signed an MoU for this initiative.
• TransHydrogen Alliance with Casa dos Ventos and Comerc Energiacore / flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2023TransHydrogen Alliance (Proton Ventures, Trammo, VARO) signed MoU with Casa dos Ventos (renewable energy) and Comerc Eficiência (energy efficiency) for production and export of green ammonia from the Pecém Complex in Ceará, Brazil. Plant capacity up to 2.4 GW electrolysis producing 2.2 million tonnes ammonia/year, targeting first export to Europe through Rotterdam by 2026.
• FichtnermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2023Proton Ventures and Fichtner (one of the leading independent engineering consultancy firms, established 1922, 2000+ staff) are conducting a feasibility study for a multinational energy corporation for green hydrogen/ammonia production facilities in Southern Europe, South America, and Africa.
• Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) - PIB ProgramstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2022Proton Ventures signed a collaboration agreement with RVO within the Partners for International Business (PIB) program, joining a cluster of Dutch companies (including Threatspan, 2 DutchPowerGroup, Certus Port Automation, IT Partner, Experion, AquaSmartXL, New Energy Coalition) to capitalize on opportunities in Chile's port, logistics, and hydrogen sectors.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2022UM6P and Proton Ventures signed an agreement for the turnkey construction of the first Green Ammonia Pilot (GAPP) at the OCP Group chemical complex in Jorf Lasfar. The pilot uses the Haber-Bosch process with 4 tons/day capacity, equipped with PEM & Alkaline electrolysers (2 MW each) and an emulator for renewable energy profile simulation. The agreement was signed in the presence of IRESEN and the Dutch Embassy.
• Supercritical Solutions and ScottishPowerstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2022Supercritical (with partners ScottishPower and Proton Ventures) secured approximately £146,000 funding from UK BEIS for Phase 1 of the GreeNH3 project, part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The project develops the world's first supercritical electrolyser to green ammonia production process, using Proton Ventures' NFuel unit.
• Transhydrogen Alliance (Trammo DMCC and VARO Energy)core / flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2021Proton Ventures, Trammo DMCC (global ammonia trading and logistics), and VARO Energy formed the Transhydrogen Alliance with the goal of importing up to 500,000 tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent (up to 2.5 million tonnes green ammonia per year) into Europe via Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam Authority supports the consortium, particularly for the import terminal. Initial project targeting completion by 2024.
• Battolyser B.V. (TU Delft Spin-off)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2021Proton Ventures is an investor in and development partner of Battolyser B.V., a TU Delft spin-off. Battolyser combines battery energy storage with electrolysis, producing hydrogen when fully charged while using nickel and iron electrodes. Proton Ventures' Hans Vrijenhoef also serves as interim CEO of Battolyser B.V. First 15kW/15kWh demonstration unit installed at Magnum power station in Eemshaven.
• Trammo DMCCcore / flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 January 2021MoU for joint cooperation on green ammonia projects worldwide. Trammo, the world's leading independent ammonia marketer and transporter (55+ years experience), would offtake and market the green ammonia produced by Proton Ventures and transport it using its fleet of specialized refrigerated vessels.
• Haldor TopsoemajorTechnology or Integration · 14 January 2021Proton Ventures and Haldor Topsoe successfully started up the first TertiNOx system at Kavala Fertilisers LTD in Greece. Proton served as main engineering contractor conducting Basic and Detailed Engineering for deNOx and N2O reduction. Topsoe supplied its TertiNOx catalyst achieving 99% conversion for both NOx and N2O and eliminating 36,000 tonne CO2 equivalents per year.
• SABIC (via BioVoice Innovation & Business Booster)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2020Proton Ventures won the SABIC Hydrogen Challenge and received an innovation contract from BioVoice to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of building a green ammonia plant producing 8,500 tonnes per year at SABIC's Bergen op Zoom site, using by-product green hydrogen from their chlorine production.
• Intrepid Group Ltd.strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2020NFuel Technologies Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton Ventures) and Intrepid Group Ltd. (Calgary-based Western Canadian organization) signed a collaboration agreement to promote and deliver turnkey small-scale ammonia production plants in Canada, potentially combined with local storage.
• IRESEN (Institut de Recherche en Energie Solaire et Energies Nouvelles)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRESEN participated in the signing ceremony for the Green Ammonia Pilot agreement between UM6P and Proton Ventures, and is part of the Green H2A technology platform alongside OCP Group. IRESEN supports Morocco's energy transition through green hydrogen and ammonia research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Haldor Topsoe: Global leader in ammonia process technology and catalyst supply, and direct collaboration partner with Proton Ventures on TertiNOx at Kavala Fertilisers. Competes for ammonia plant licensing and FEED work, but with much larger scale and proprietary catalyst IP.
• Casale: Swiss-based ammonia and methanol technology licensor providing process design and proprietary equipment. Direct competitor for green ammonia plant engineering contracts, particularly in small-to-mid scale Haber-Bosch applications overlapping NFuel's addressable market.
• thyssenkrupp Uhde: Major German EPC contractor for large-scale ammonia, fertilizer, and chemical plants. Competes head-to-head for world-scale green ammonia projects with substantially greater engineering capacity and balance sheet strength than Proton Ventures.
• KBR: US-based engineering firm and ammonia technology licensor (K-GreeN ammonia process). Competes for green ammonia FEED and EPC contracts globally, with deeper execution capability and broader petrochemicals portfolio.
• Toyo Engineering: Japanese EPC contractor with strong ammonia and urea plant portfolio, particularly in MENA and Southeast Asia. Competes for large-scale ammonia FEED/EPC contracts in regions where Proton Ventures is also active.
• Stamicarbon (Maire Tecnimont): Dutch-based urea and ammonia technology licensor within Maire Tecnimont group. Direct competitor in ammonia plant licensing and engineering services, headquartered in same region as Proton Ventures.

Broad incumbents

• Air Products: Global industrial gases major and the largest hydrogen producer worldwide. Develops large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia projects (e.g., NEOM in Saudi Arabia), competing for the same marquee green ammonia FID opportunities as Proton Ventures.
• Yara International: World's largest ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer producer, also developing clean ammonia projects and shipping fuels. Operates own ammonia terminals and storage, overlapping Proton Ventures' terminal engineering work while also being a potential customer/competitor.

Emerging players

• Nel ASA: Norwegian electrolyser manufacturer whose PEM technology is integrated into Proton Ventures' NFuel units. Adjacent player in green hydrogen/ammonia value chain with overlap on green ammonia project developments globally.

Regional players

• Vopak: Dutch global tank storage operator with significant ammonia terminal portfolio and a PGS-12 working group peer alongside Proton Ventures. Competes and collaborates on ammonia terminal storage infrastructure projects in Northwest Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Proton Ventures