Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (17-6-2025)

News from Abroad

TACKLING GREENHOUSE GASES

BASF-backed pilot project in China verifies emissions

reductions from use of stabilised urea

In 2023, BASF and Yunnan “Together with Yuntianhua, we not
Yuntianhua, a China-based fertiliser only proved the feasibility of imple-
manufacturer, launched a pilot project menting this climate-smart agriculture
in China to verify the reduction of initiative to verify emissions reductions
CO equivalent emissions (CO e) from but also its importance amidst global
2
2
the use of Yuntianhua’s stabilised urea climate change, as agriculture is in
fertiliser containing BASF’s urease a unique position to address it,” said
inhibitor, Limus. Markus Schmid, Nitrogen Manage-
ment business lead at BASF. “Now the
The pilot verified that Yuntianhua causing a deterioration in air quality second monitoring cycle is underway
reduced roughly 46,584 tonnes of CO e and biodiversity. Additionally, applied and can help set the stage to expand to
2
emissions by using Limus-treated nitrogen released as nitrous oxide can partners in the food value chain.”
fertiliser versus untreated fertiliser. enter the atmosphere as greenhouse
This estimate is based on Yuntianhua’s gas. Along with the detrimental envi- Based on learnings from the pilot,
sales of Limus-stabilised urea during ronmental effects of nitrogen loss, including the creation of a robust and
the pilot. farmers suffer economic and yield qua- scalable monitoring procedure, BASF
lity losses as less nitrogen is available is conducting a second monitoring
BASF said the results demonstrate to crops when they need it most. cycle with Yuntianhua to once again verify
successful project implementation, ena- the reduction of CO e of Limus-treated
2
bling expansion opportunities globally. “The successful project results re- fertiliser from the 2024 calendar year.
affirm that applying Limus urease inhibi-
The project has been verified by an tor on urea fertiliser stabilises the urea, BASF is also exploring similar
independent auditor. BASF also colla- and this Limus-treated urea emits less opportunities with fertiliser manufac-
borated with First Climate, a leading ammonia and nitrous oxide than stan- turers in other countries globally. The
global provider of carbon management dard, non-treated fertilisers,” BASF said. aim is to enable upstream fertiliser pro-
and sustainability solutions, to develop ducers in the agricultural value chain to
the pilot project in China and monitor As part of their climate-smart agri- participate in climate-smart agriculture
the project’s outcomes. culture initiatives, Yuntianhua hosts initiatives, obtain verified emissions
field trial demonstrations for farmers, reductions from the use of stabilised
Around 15% of nitrogen in urea distributors, and retailers showcasing nitrogen fertilisers, and reduce their
is lost to the atmosphere as ammonia, these benefits of stabilised urea. carbon footprints.
Toyobo and DMC Biotechnologies announce sustainable

chemicals collaboration

US-based DMC Biotechnologies tation with Toyobo’s chemical and bio- prietary Dynamic Metabolic Control
and Japanese chemicals firm, Toyobo, technology process knowledge, along technology and metabolic engineering
have entered into a multi-year collabora- with their access to global markets. expertise to enable cost-advantaged,
tion agreement to develop a “more sus- efficient, scalable and robust fermen-
tainable, fermentation-produced, high Through this agreement, the two tation processes, while Toyobo will
volume chemical intermediate” for use companies will leverage their comple- leverage its extensive expertise in both
in a wide range of essential materials. mentary capabilities to accelerate the chemical synthesis and biotechnology,
development and commercialisation along with its deep industry know-
This partnership brings together of bio-based and affordable chemical ledge, to bring these innovative pro-
DMC’s expertise in precision fermen- products. DMC will utilise its pro- ducts to market.

172 Chemical Weekly June 17, 2025

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