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Copy link ICL’s Biodegradable CRF: Efficient Nitrogen Management
A Breakthrough in Sustainable Agriculture by ICL's Research Team Pioneering a Sustainable Future in Fertilization
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Independent studies show that ICL’s eqo.x® technology delivers the proven environmental and yield benefits of our other controlled-release fertilizer technologies, cutting nitrogen leaching by 58%, reducing NH3 volatilization by up to 60%, lowering N2O emissions by more than 10%, while increase yield by up to 30%. eqo.x technology brings the breakthrough advantage of being a fully biodegradable CRF coating that rapidly breaks down after nutrient release, leaving no residues in the soil. This makes eqo.x® a major step forward in sustainable, high-performance nitrogen management.
As a part of ICL Growing Solutions’ commitment to sustainable agriculture, our R&D team, has developed a groundbreaking, fully biodegradable Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF) coating technology, named eqo.x®. An independent study from the Nutrient Management Institute (The Netherlands), showcased the substantial environmental benefits of this innovative product. A pot experiment with red beetroot was set up to assess the reduction of N losses to the environment when using an ICL CRF with eqo.x technology (i.e., coated urea with ICL’s biodegradable release technology) compared to uncoated urea.
Reducing Environmental Impact with Advanced CRF Technology
The findings reveal that the use of CRFs can significantly reduce nitrogen loss to the environment. In comparison to traditional urea fertilizer, our CRF reduced the total nitrogen leached by an impressive 58%, decreased NH3 volatilization up to 60% and lowered N2O emissions by more than 10%. This is a major step forward in mitigating the environmental impact of N fertilization, by reducing contamination of groundwaters due to N leaching and by mitigating climate change due to reduction of greenhouse N gases. The exclusive eqo.x biodegradable coating technology takes the CRFs to a new level of sustainability and applicability on the farm, as the CRF coating completely breaks down naturally once the nutrients are released, leaving no residues in the soil.
Enhanced Efficiency and Crop Yield
The study also highlights that our CRF not only benefits the environment but also enhances crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency. With a yield increase of more than 30% and a nitrogen use efficiency improvement of more than 80% compared to conventional urea treatments, this product marks a new era in efficient and responsible farming.
