
Clean Hydrogen Works (CHW) has taken a significant step in strengthening its presence in the European market with the appointment of two seasoned executives in the fertilizer and ammonia industry. Mr. Olivier Saulnier has been named Vice President of Sales & Marketing (S&M), while Mr. Marc van Doorn has been appointed as Vice President of Business Development. With their extensive expertise and industry leadership, Mr. Saulnier and Mr. van Doorn will oversee CHW’s Sales & Marketing and Business Development efforts in Europe, playing a key role in accelerating the final investment decision (FID) of the Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) project.
Strategic Leadership to Drive CHW’s European Expansion
The addition of Mr. Saulnier and Mr. van Doorn marks a significant milestone in CHW’s efforts to expand its footprint in the European market. Both executives bring years of leadership experience and a deep understanding of the ammonia and fertilizer industries, positioning them as valuable assets in CHW’s mission to advance clean hydrogen and ammonia adoption globally.

Mr. Saulnier, who has held key leadership roles at HELM AG and Yara, has a strong background in driving growth and transformation within the industry. At HELM AG, he served as Executive Vice President for Corporate Nutrition, where he successfully led a business turnaround, delivered consistent earnings growth, and executed mergers and acquisitions across key markets such as the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. During his tenure at Yara, Mr. Saulnier played an instrumental role in expanding revenue streams in North America and was pivotal in establishing a thriving fertilizer trading unit in Switzerland.
Likewise, Mr. van Doorn brings over three decades of experience in the ammonia and fertilizer industries, having worked with Grupo Fertiberia, OCI, and DSM. At Grupo Fertiberia, he spearheaded the development of the world’s first green ammonia facility and managed an impressive project portfolio totaling 2.5 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of ammonia. During his tenure at OCI, he played a crucial role in overseeing ammonia and fertilizer trade operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, contributing significantly to EBITDA growth. Additionally, Mr. van Doorn has served as a strategic advisor to Air Products, where he was instrumental in designing and developing the ammonia supply chain for the NEOM project.
Commitment to Advancing Clean Ammonia in Europe
Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Mr. Saulnier stated, “I am delighted to join CHW’s distinguished team and contribute to the successful execution of this groundbreaking project. CHW stands out as one of the most advanced independent initiatives in the U.S. low-carbon ammonia sector, thanks to its strong partnerships, including access to carbon capture. With Europe urgently seeking low-carbon solutions to meet stringent compliance requirements, this project is uniquely positioned to lead the way. I look forward to working with such a talented team to shape a sustainable future.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. van Doorn emphasized his commitment to the clean energy transition, stating, “I am honored to leverage my ammonia experience to drive the adoption of clean ammonia in Europe. CHW’s proposal is very compelling and offers the right approach to transition not only the clean but also the grey ammonia market in Europe. My personal motivation is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the shortest possible timeline, and CHW provides the world’s best and most realistic opportunity to achieve this, making this a magnificent opportunity for us all.”
The Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) Project: A Game-Changer in Low-Carbon Ammonia Production
At the heart of CHW’s clean energy initiatives is the Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) project, the company’s flagship facility in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The ACE project, developed in collaboration with strategic shareholders ExxonMobil, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Hafnia, is poised to become a leading producer of clean ammonia. Initially set to produce 2.4 MTPA of clean ammonia, the facility has ambitious expansion plans to increase production capacity to 7.2 MTPA in subsequent phases.
Several key partnerships and milestones position the ACE project for success. CHW has secured a CO2 Services Agreement with ExxonMobil and partnered with McDermott as the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED)/Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) provider. Regulatory approvals for the project are anticipated in early 2025, and off-take agreements are in advanced discussions. Additionally, Goldman Sachs is serving as the financial advisor for the project. With these elements in place, CHW expects the ACE project to reach its final investment decision (FID) by late 2025 and commence production by 2029.
About Clean Hydrogen Works (CHW)
Clean Hydrogen Works (CHW) is a pioneering clean energy development company committed to delivering low-cost, low-carbon energy solutions worldwide. By leveraging expertise in hydrogen and ammonia production, CHW aims to create integrated value chains that meet the world’s increasing demand for sustainable energy. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as ExxonMobil, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Hafnia, CHW remains at the forefront of the global energy transition, driving innovation and sustainability in clean hydrogen and ammonia production.
With the appointments of Mr. Olivier Saulnier and Mr. Marc van Doorn, CHW reinforces its dedication to expanding clean energy solutions in Europe. Their leadership and expertise will be instrumental in advancing CHW’s mission and ensuring the successful execution of the ACE project, setting a new standard for low-carbon ammonia production in the global market.