Nousbo Introduces Biodegradable CRF Coating to Meet Global Standards

2024-08-02

Nousbo Co., Ltd. has applied for a patent for an eco-friendly Controlled Release Fertilizer with a biodegradable coating using PBAT and PBS. 

The patent was applied through the Rural Development Administration's research project on "Development of Biodegradable Resin Coated Fertilizers for Environmental Load Reduction." 

Nousbo plans to preemptively capture the biodegradable coating fertilizer market by responding to global regulations, particularly in Europe.

▲ Controlled Release Fertilizers with Biodegradable Resins Coating

Nousbo has developed an eco-friendly Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) using biodegradable resin coatings and has applied for a domestic patent.

This patent involves creating a biodegradable coating for CRFs using PBAT (poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)) and PBS (poly butylene succinate). These materials can be decomposed by soil microorganisms. New technology addresses the limitations of traditional biodegradable coated fertilizers, which only decompose under specific conditions, making it suitable for various fertilization methods such as side-dressing and row application.

▲ Schematic Diagram of the Decomposition Process of Controlled Release Fertilizers with Biodegradable Resins Coating

In Korea, efforts to protect the environment and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 include reducing the use of agricultural inorganic fertilizers by 12% by 2025. The best alternative is using Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRFs), which gradually supply nutrients to the soil, increasing fertilizer efficiency and minimizing nutrient loss due to leaching. CRFs are growing globally at an annual rate of 6% and domestically at about 8%. The global CRF market is estimated to be around 1.7 million tons annually (approximately 1.8 trillion KRW as of 2023).

Polymer-coated fertilizers, a type of CRF, are widely used in Korea due to their controlled release advantages. However, the non-degradable coating material takes about 500 years to decompose. In 2020, Korea shipped around 63,000 tons of CRFs, resulting in approximately 1,103 tons of plastic being applied to farmland annually. This trend suggests severe plastic pollution in the soil. To address this, Nousbo and the Rural Development Administration of Korea have developed a technology for CRF coatings that completely decompose by soil  microorganisms using biodegradable resins.

Amid significant efforts across industries toward sustainable management, the patent obtained by Nousbo was achieved through the Rural Development Administration's research project on 'Development of Biodegradable Resin Coated Fertilizers for Environmental Load Reduction.' Developing CRFs with biodegradable resins is crucial for controlling fertilizer release. The newly developed biodegradable coating technology can reduce N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) usage by about 50% compared to conventional methods during rice cultivation, achieving both the decomposition of coating materials and the reduction of fertilizer usage. Nousbo plans to actively expand into overseas markets based on recent test results on various crops. With Europe's amended Fertilizer Regulation in 2022, which will make it virtually impossible to use non-degradable polymer-coated fertilizers from 2026, Nousbo aims to capture the estimated 500,000 tons (about 970 billion KRW) annual European CRF market and position itself as a climate tech company addressing global environmental issues.

Nousbo is preparing for the production of CRFs with a new biodegradable coating by the first quarter of 2025 through a recent business agreement with SK Livio. Meanwhile, the Rural Development Administration of Korea has announced active support for the commercialization and early distribution of environmentally friendly biodegradable coated fertilizers. This support is expected to play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing environmental loads from fertilizer use.

Original press release source : http://www.newsam.co.kr/news/article.html?no=38099