Imagine a machine that cleans up polluted ocean water and smoggy air by turning them into fertilizer. Instead of using expensive natural gas, it uses electricity from wind or sun to zap nitrates and carbonates. It basically turns environmental waste into a valuable product that farmers need.
The EU relies heavily on imported urea (33% from Russia) and faces environmental damage from nitrate-heavy fertilizers. Current production is carbon-intensive, contributing to 2% of global CO2 emissions.
A system for the co-electrolysis of nitrates and carbonates into urea, including non-CRM catalysts and reactor-level prototypes.
If you are a fertilizer manufacturer dealing with high import dependency—specifically the 33% of EU urea coming from Russia—this project developed a co-electrolysis method that produces green urea locally using seawater. This reduces reliance on foreign gas-based supply chains.
If you are a treatment plant dealing with nitrate pollution and eutrophication in water streams, this project developed a catalyst-based system that removes these pollutants. It converts waste into urea, turning a cleaning cost into a potential revenue stream.
If you are a chemical producer dealing with the high carbon footprint of ammonia-derived fertilizers, which cause ~2% of global CO2 emissions, this project developed a non-CRM catalyst system. It allows for the decentralized production of urea powered by renewable electricity.
Based on available project data, the project aims to create a commercially viable solution that can compete with fossil fuel derived equivalents by using abundant raw materials and renewable electricity.
The project is currently developing scalable prototypes and reactor-level systems. It is moving from catalyst design toward a first proof-of-concept for seawater co-electrolysis.
The project explicitly includes the building of a strong IP portfolio as a baseline for future exploitation pathways in key markets.
The system is designed for net zero or decentralized operation, meaning it can be directly coupled to renewable electricity sources.
The research period runs from 2023-11-01 to 2026-10-31, focusing on catalyst discovery and prototype implementation.
The consortium is purely research-driven, consisting of 7 partners from 4 countries (DE, ES, IE, NL). With 3 universities and 4 research organizations, and 0% industry participation, the project is currently focused on scientific breakthroughs and IP generation rather than immediate commercial deployment.
Contact Fundacio Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques in Spain
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