Objective Ammonia serves as a core carrier in the zero-carbon energy system and an essential chemical feedstock. The technological advancement of its full industry chain is crucial for advancing energy transition and fulfilling carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, the large-scale development of the ammonia industry faces challenges including technological transformation bottlenecks in synthesis processes, prominent safety risks in storage and transportation, and insufficient technical compatibility across application scenarios. This study reviews the current technological status of the ammonia industry chain, analyzes critical issues, and proposes breakthrough directions to support the sustainable growth of the ammonia economy.

Methods By integrating literature review with technical analysis, the evolutionary path of ammonia synthesis technologies was systematically outlined; core processes, safety risks, and protection technologies in liquid ammonia storage and transportation were analyzed; diversified application scenarios and technical bottlenecks were discussed; key issues, including safety and economic challenges facing large-scale ammonia industry chain development, were examined.

Results The merits, drawbacks and applicable scenarios of ammonia synthesis routes—including blue ammonia, green ammonia, and direct electrochemical reduction to ammonia—were identified, with blue ammonia achieving a carbon capture rate of 85％–99％, green ammonia enabling full life cycle zero carbon emissions, and the Faradaic efficiency of electrochemical ammonia synthesis reaching 30％–40％. The technical characteristics and safety control priorities of high-pressure and cryogenic liquid ammonia storage and pipeline transportation were summarized, along with critical risks to be addressed during storage and transportation and emerging ammonia storage solutions such as metal ammine complexes and underground salt caverns. The technical principles and industrialization potential of ammonia utilization in the energy and industrial sectors were clarified. Ammonia was determined as economically competitive for metallurgical substitution at prices below RMB 3 000/t. Globally planned green ammonia production capacity surpassed 4 200×10⁴ t by 2025, with China accounting for 2 038×10⁴ t. Currently, green ammonia costs approximately RMB 4 500/t, more than twice the cost of grey ammonia.

Conclusion Liquid ammonia storage and transportation technologies have become increasingly mature. Blue ammonia acts as a low-carbon transitional alternative, whereas green ammonia is currently the most commercially viable zero-carbon ammonia synthesis route and is projected to achieve price parity with grey ammonia by 2030. To advance the large-scale development of the ammonia industry chain, efforts should focus on three aspects: technological research and development, safety and environmental protection, and industrial policy support. Priority should be given to overcoming core technical bottlenecks, enhancing full-process safety management, and improving infrastructure and standard systems.