Plasma2X

University of Liverpool spin-out, Plasma2X, is revolutionising sustainable chemistry by using electricity to produce fuel and fertiliser directly from air and water.

Plasma2x Ltd, led by Mike Craven and Xin Tu from the University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, is making a positive impact on the world for future generations by providing zero-carbon sustainable, scalable and economical solutions that produce vital chemicals, fuels and fertilisers from natural resources.

Synthetic nitrogen fertilisers require fossil-fuel-derived ammonia, and result in 1.4% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. However, without these fertilisers, crop failures would starve half of the world’s population.

Nitric acid is mostly used to produce nitrate fertiliser, but has other industrial applications. 60 million tonnes are produced annually by oxidizing ammonia.  Much of that fossil energy in the ammonia is therefore lost.  This method has served us well, but at a huge environmental cost. Not only is Plasma2X’s process low-carbon, it is economically viable without subsidies.

The patented technology at Plasma2X works by mimicking nature’s process for capturing nitrogen from the air using lightning. Their technology harnesses plasma in their reactors – like lightning in a tube - which uses energetic electrons provided by electricity to activate the nitrogen and oxygen molecules, causing them to react and make nitrogen oxides. These are then dissolved into water to make nitric acid, which is a vital component in the production of fertilisers, chemicals and textiles. The process is price-competitive with conventional methods and has the potential to outcompete the production of nitric acid worldwide and eliminate emissions. A secondary process has also been developed that uses electricity to convert the nitric acid into ammonia, another vital chemical for the production of fertilisers and a promising green fuel.

The team behind Plasma2X comprises experts in the fields of plasma reactor and electrochemical cell technology plus industry and sustainability professionals.

Plasma2X is already receiving wide acclaim. The team was awarded a place in the 2025 cohort for the TechX Clean Energy Accelerator programme - an intensive 18-week programme for 10 innovative clean energy start-ups with clear potential to accelerate the transition to an affordable net zero energy industry.

They were also invited to join The Royal Society Change Makers Programme, which celebrates the best of the UK’s early-stage deep-tech chemistry talent.

Plasma2X has been a finalist in both the Enabling Technologies and Environmental categories of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition. In 2024, they were also named a One to Watch in the Liverpool City Region Tech Climbers awards. Most recently, they reached the semi-finals of the International Fertiliser Association (IFA) Cultivate Challenge.