PROTON VENTURES BV

Their core work

Proton Ventures is a Dutch engineering SME specialized in small-scale ammonia production technology and ammonia-based energy solutions. They bring industrial expertise in Haber-Bosch reactor design, ammonia synthesis, and ammonia combustion systems to EU research consortia. Their work spans the full ammonia energy chain — from green ammonia production via electrolysis to ammonia use as a fuel in power plants and combustion engines. They also contribute to smart port decarbonization through ammonia-based energy storage and fuel applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Proton Ventures entered H2020 in 2020 with a focus on integrating ammonia into existing power infrastructure — flexible combined-cycle plants, power-to-X-to-power roundtrip systems, and emission reduction through ammonia combustion. By 2021, their focus shifted toward the underlying production technology: advanced electrochemical methods (SOEC, membranes, electrodes), electrosynthesis pathways, and ammonia combustion engines as standalone applications. This progression shows a move from system-level integration toward deeper materials and reactor engineering for the ammonia economy.

Proton Ventures is deepening its position in the green ammonia value chain, moving from application-level integration toward core production technology and electrochemical conversion — positioning them as a go-to SME partner for ammonia economy projects.

How they like to work

Proton Ventures operates exclusively as a participant, contributing specialized ammonia technology expertise to larger consortia rather than leading projects. With 75 unique partners across 12 countries in just 3 projects, they work within large, multi-national consortia (averaging 25+ partners per project). This pattern suggests they are sought after as a niche technology provider — the kind of partner consortia recruit specifically for ammonia engineering capability.

Despite only three projects, Proton Ventures has built a broad European network of 75 partners across 12 countries — a reflection of the large-scale energy and transport consortia they participate in. Their base near Rotterdam port connects them naturally to maritime and port-related energy initiatives.

What sets them apart

Proton Ventures occupies a rare niche as an SME with hands-on industrial capability in small-scale ammonia plant design and construction — not just research, but actual reactor engineering. While many academic partners study ammonia theoretically, Proton Ventures brings the practical know-how to build and operate ammonia systems. For any consortium needing a partner who can move ammonia technology from concept toward real-world deployment, they fill a gap that universities and large corporates typically cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ARENHA
  Their largest project (EUR 752,950) covering the full ammonia energy storage chain from SOEC electrosynthesis to combustion engines — their deepest technical involvement
• FLEXnCONFU
  Addresses the critical challenge of making gas power plants flexible using ammonia and hydrogen as alternative fuels, directly relevant to Europe's energy transition
• MAGPIE
  Applies their ammonia expertise to port decarbonization — a natural fit given their Schiedam (Rotterdam area) location and an indicator of cross-sector versatility