New reactive mineral layer coating technology for the production of biobased enhanced efficiency fertilizers

Project SummaryBiobased fertilizers are an under-utilized plant nutrient resource. Recycled biobasedfertilizers help conserve natural resources through protecting water quality improving soilhealth and promoting superior nutrient management practices. However they remainunderutilized in practice due to low nutrient content nutrient imbalance safety concerns relatedto storage and physical characteristics that limit compatibility with existing application methods.GreenTechnolgoies (hereinafter "GT") has identified a new untapped market opportunityleveraging its patented coating technology paired with underutilized biosolids to address currentlimitations associated with the use of recycled biobased fertilizers. This coating can be applied tobiosolids animal waste organic granular fertilizers and even some inorganic granular fertilizersto create a sustainable and affordable line of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers.During Phase I GT demonstrated the feasibility of a patented new technology for applying amineral coating onto biosolids pellets to address these inherent barriers. Coated biosolids withhigher nitrogen content better nutrient balance and variable composition were produced andcharacterized. Furthermore GT demonstrated that the coating prevents heating and smolderingwhen the coated product is stored in bulk.This Phase builds on the success achieved during Phase I. Phase II R&D andcommercialization activities will result in a unique line of enhanced efficiency fertilizerproducts. The technology has potential to greatly expand use of biosolids and manure-basedfertilizers by fulfilling producers' needs in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner.Having demonstrated the feasibility of the technology in Phase I GT will continue itsresearch on and development of the coating method to manufacture enhanced efficiencybiosolids and manure-based fertilizer products for commercialization in agriculture-relatedmarkets. Phase II Technical Objectives are identified specifically to overcome key technicalchallenges that must be addressed to move the product to commercialization. Objectives include:1. Develop commercial pilot manufacturing. Phase II will carry out the research needed to adaptthe batch processes demonstrated in Phase I to a Pilot scale continuous production process offive targeted coated biosolids fertilizer products.2. Demonstrate safety and quantify the physical characteristics of the new fertilizercompositions. Phase II will quantify and document self-heating characteristics of the coatedfertilizer products and compare results to uncoated bio-based organic fertilizers. Phase II willalso measure and document the physical characteristics of the coated fertilizers includinghardness bulk density and product uniformity.3. Conduct field studies of the new coated organic fertilizers. Field studies will target entrymarkets of turfgrass and citrus to demonstrate the efficacy of the new product line.4. Adapt the patented coating process to other biobased sources in particular manure-basedfertilizers.GT's commercialization plan has identified the specialty agriculture market as having thegreatest potential for market entry. The commercialization strategy will take advantage of GT'sestablished presence in the biosolids fertilizer industry by engaging its current distributionpartners providing immediate access to turfgrass citrus and related horticulture markets.Commercialization efforts will benefit from early product availability as a result of commercialpilot manufacturing putting the products in the hands of early adopters. The proposal includesletters of commitment from several current GT customers. Longer term commercializationactivities will establish strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities expanding applicationof the technology.