Disclosure: This post is sponsored by KBR and reflects their views, opinions, and insights.
As ammonia producers work to improve plant safety, reliability, and efficiency, advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence are opening up new possibilities for plant design and operation. Henrik Larsen, Vice President of Sustainable Technology Solutions at KBR, is helping lead the company’s efforts to develop technologies for the next generation of ammonia production.
Looking ahead to AIChE’s 70th Annual Safety in Ammonia Plants and Related Facilities Symposium, taking place from August 30–September 3, 2026, in Montreal, Henrik discusses KBR’s vision for the ammonia plant of the future, the role AI will play in plant operations, and how technologies like KBR INSITE 3.0 are being used to enhance safety, reliability, and operational performance.
What does a KBR technology-licensed ammonia plant of the future look like?
We’re already rolling out INSITE 3.0 to our leading and trusted Purifier® Technology platform, and it’s been adopted by top operators in the ammonia industry. This means we’re shaping the ammonia plant of the future right now. Building on these advancements and learnings and harnessing the power of data, KBR and our catalyst and technology partners will develop the next-generation ammonia platforms in the years ahead.
What role will AI play in impacting the operational efficiency of ammonia plants in the next five years?
INSITE 3.0 is designed to be the ultimate wingman for operators and subject matter experts at ammonia plants. It gives them real-time access to a vastly expanded range of operational inputs and predictions, improving onstream factor, energy efficiency, and financial returns while enhancing plant safety.
The result is operational efficiency that’s unmatched and sets a new global standard for ammonia plants, regardless of size or purpose, while reducing technology risks as we push beyond current mega-scale capacities and explore entirely new process schemes.
Besides INSITE 3.0, what else does KBR do to give the facilities an edge over the others?
The KBR heritage is built on “We Deliver,” and that’s exactly what we do. Our Purifier suite of ammonia technologies offers the most efficient solution for any capacity ammonia plant, whether standalone or fully integrated with urea and existing facilities. That’s why we continue to supply more than 50% of the world’s ammonia plants.
Our heritage and experience with large, complex EPC projects enable us to offer fully modularized solutions (EPF), extensive engineering and equipment services, and operational support, all customized to fit a project's specific needs.
With INSITE 3.0 capabilities, we'll deliver these solutions faster while continuing to drive technical improvements.
How can AI or INSITE 3.0 help improve plant operation?
AI-powered INSITE 3.0 combines real-time information with KBR's deep industry expertise and operational data to help plant operators proactively spot potential issues before they affect performance. These predictive insights empower operators to make informed decisions and resolve problems before they disrupt operations. That means less unplanned downtime, better plant efficiency, higher asset reliability and availability, and stronger overall operational performance.
At the symposium on August 31, KBR will preview its AI-Powered Ammonia Plant of the Future and Smart Monitoring of Catalyst Performance, followed by cocktails and networking with KBR experts.
Henrik Larsen
Henrik Larsen is Vice President of Sustainable Technology Solutions at KBR, where he oversees the company's clean technology portfolio for ammonia and hydrogen production, as well as its fertilizer solutions business.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by KBR and reflects their views, opinions, and insights.
