A start-up which uses nanotechnology to eliminate harmful emissions from ammonia production has established its headquarters at an Oxfordshire science and technology park.

Capitalising on its £2.3 million seed investment from 2023, Nium has secured 7,500 sq ft of research and development space at Milton Park, near Didcot.

The move is part of the firm's wider growth strategy.

Founded at Carbon13, Cambridge, in spring 2022, Nium’s nanocatalytic solutions were created over a two-year period by its chief technology officer at the UK synchrotron facility at Harwell, Diamond Light Source.

thisisoxfordshire: Milton ParkMilton Park (Image: Milton Park)

Ammonia production predominantly occurs in large industrial plants in China and Russia, relying heavily on burning coal, gas and oil.

It is one of the planet's top polluting chemical industrial processes,

The century-old Haber-Bosch method used to create ammonia, a key fertiliser contributing to half of the world's food production, releases two tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of ammonia due to its overwhelming dependency on fossil fuels.

Nium's technology uses hydrogen from water and nitrogen from the air to create green ammonia, bypassing the need for fossil fuels.

This process cuts costs, removes emissions, reduces supply chains, and saves time.

Green ammonia - easier to transport than hydrogen - is leading option in the clean fuel industry as well as an exceptional carrier of hydrogen, having nine times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.

Nium's CEO and co-founder, Lewis Jenkins, said: "Nium’s solution for producing green ammonia is innovation born out of necessity, at a fraction of the price and without the pollution from fossil fuels.

"We were attracted to the Park’s track record of supporting start-ups, thanks to its ability to move occupiers around to accommodate growth.

“When looking at other estimates to complete a facility to test and scale our emission reducing nanotechnologies, we were originally looking at a 2026 completion, but it took just 7 months for us to set up out new basecamp at Milton Park – a real testament to the work of Tom and the MEPC team."

Tom Booker, commercial manager at Milton Park, said: "Nium is another exciting Milton Park occupier.

"We’re delighted to welcome the team to Milton Park, to play a part in accommodating their growth plans, alongside other like-minded companies.”

Nium is joining a growing roster of green energy-focused firms at Milton Park, such as Tokamak Energy and Nexeon.

An analysis by Beauhurst reveals that green energy firms at the park have collectively raised £136 million in equity investment and have been awarded £18.4 million in grants between 2013 and 2022.