N2 Technology
Country of application:
Norway
Scope of innovation
☐ Office work
☒ Production / Service supply process
Sector-specific
☒ Yes / please, specify sector(s): agriculture
☐ No (relevant for all sectors)
Description of the needs
The world of agriculture faces pressing challenges. As the global population continues to grow, there is a greater need than ever for sustainable food production. Current farming methods have led to issues such as nitrogen pollution, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels for making fertilizers. At the same time, the health of our soils, which are vital for farming, is at risk. There is a clear need for new ways to make fertilizers that do not harm the environment, and solutions that can be used locally to cut down on transport and its associated costs.
N2 technology focuses on making eco-friendly fertilizer while significantly reducing harmful emissions. It encourages the efficient use of nutrients, which could lead to better crops. What sets N2 apart is their proactive approach to benefit the environment, making agriculture a key player in sustainable practices. Their technology reduces the need for fossil fuels and offers a system that farmers can easily use. This means farmers can quickly produce sustainable fertilizer, which saves both time and money. Nevertheless, N2’s technology provides a much-needed answer for the future of farming, guiding it towards a greener and more efficient path.
Description of the solution
N2 Applied’s innovation presents a groundbreaking approach to fertilizer production, making it circular, local, and electric. At its core, N2’s plasma technology is crafted to tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet today.
This patented technology emerges as a challenge to the fossil fuel-dependent fertilizer sector. Its central objective is the closure of the nitrogen cycle by producing sustainable fertilizer directly on farms. This venture presents a much-needed alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch method. By harnessing the power of plasma technology, N2’s solution addresses the significant concerns of nitrogen pollution and climatic emissions stemming from agriculture. The technology enables the recycling and enhancement of organic material into a precious emission-free fertilizer, empowering farmers to confront global environmental challenges. With no reliance on fossil inputs, this system promotes a genuine circular economy within the agricultural realm.
N2’s plasma technology operates machines that are strategically positioned on farms. By drawing nitrogen from the atmosphere, along with the incorporation of organic material and renewable energy, the production of eco-friendly fertilizer is ensured.
A Deep Dive into N2 Technology
The innovation from N2 Applied facilitates the localized production of fertilizers by utilizing livestock waste, air, and electricity. This process remarkably slashes detrimental emissions while simultaneously amplifying yield. Nitrogen from the atmosphere is infused into slurry, augmenting its nitrogen content. This reaction inhibits ammonia loss and eradicates methane emissions, solidifying its position as a pivotal solution for large-scale climate targets.
The resultant product, a nitrogen-augmented organic fertilizer (NEO), retains the properties of standard slurry. However, its enhanced nitrogen content and significantly reduced emissions distinguish it. This allows farmers to utilize existing agricultural machinery for its distribution, encouraging superior food production, minimizing dependency on chemical fertilizers, and promoting a circular farming model.
N2’s Innovative farm equipment
The N2 Unit, a transformative technological marvel, is designed for local installations on farms or biogas facilities. Its primary function is to convert liquid manure into a sustainable fertilizer, requiring only air and electricity. Comparable in size to a standard container, it seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructures. Continuous treatment of liquid manure occurs, ensuring its availability for optimal application times. Typically, it’s positioned between the livestock shed and the manure storage area.
N2 Applied has partnered with GEA to commercialise the technology in the dairy and beef sector. GEA is now manufacturing machines using N2 technology ready for installation on dairy farms around the world.
Renowned investors back the company, and it has garnered attention and financial support from the European Union. This showcases the immense potential of N2’s technology in assisting farmers in attaining the stringent benchmarks outlined in the European Green Deal.
Description of the effect
N2’s technology represents a monumental leap in sustainable agriculture. It is a forward-thinking solution that addresses both the immediate and long-term challenges of the sector. With its multifaceted benefits, the technology is poised to reshape the very foundations of fertilizer production and sustainable farming:
Promotion of sustainable food production: N2’s technology emphasizes the importance of a sustainable approach to food production. As global populations grow and resources diminish, the push towards sustainable agricultural practices becomes paramount. The technology is a testament to the advancements made in addressing this urgent need.
Green fertilizer production: N2 is adept at producing environmentally friendly fertilizer. Unlike traditional methods that release significant amounts of CO2 and other harmful gases, N2’s solution is virtually emission-free.
Enhanced nutrient circularity: The system champions the circularity of nutrients on farms, which means less waste and more efficient use of resources. This can lead to better crop yields and reduced dependency on external fertilizer sources.
Addressing environmental challenges: Nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are major concerns today. N2’s plasma technology combats these issues head-on by producing emission-free fertilizer and curbing harmful emissions like methane, which has a significantly higher global warming potential than CO2.
Decentralization of production: By enabling localized fertilizer production, N2 reduces the need for transportation, subsequently slashing associated emissions and costs.
Supporting soil health: By recycling vital nutrients and ensuring they return to the soil, the technology bolsters soil health, which is crucial for long-term agricultural viability.
Economic impact: N2’s solutions have the potential to disrupt the multi-billion dollar nitrogen fertilizer market, shifting the dynamics from fossil fuel-based production to more sustainable methods.
Climate positive approach: The method not only reduces harmful emissions but also ensures that agriculture becomes a sector that contributes positively to climate goals, especially with the elimination of methane emissions.
Reduced dependency on fossil fuels: Traditional fertilizer production is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, both in terms of raw materials and energy. N2’s technology steers away from this dependency, paving the way for a greener agricultural sector.
Innovative solutions for farms: The N2 unit, designed to be easily integrated into farms, ensures that farmers have direct access to sustainable fertilizer production. This means quicker access, fewer costs, and improved efficiency.
Company/companies that developed/implemented/offer the innovation
N2 Applied, based in Norway, is a cutting-edge technology firm with a diverse international team skilled in agriculture, technical engineering, business strategy, and sustainability. While their main office resides in Oslo/Asker, they also operate a test facility near Kongsberg in Svene, Norway, as well as satellite offices in Wageningen, Netherlands, and York, UK.
N2 Applied has developed a technology that enables local production of fertiliser from liquid organic substrates such as slurry or digestate with air and electricity. The technology adds nitrogen from the air into the liquid substrate and increases the nitrogen content. The reaction stops the loss of ammonia and reduces emissions, making it an efficient and sustainable fertiliser, and creating a more circular farm system. N2’s scalable process enables fertiliser production to be re-distributed to the end-user, the farmer – cutting long and expensive value chains, and reducing the need for chemical fertiliser production based on fossil gas or coal. The solution also provides on-farm emission reductions of methane and ammonia, as well as odour.
Administration
Hagaløkkveien 7
1383 Asker
Norway
Technology center:
Strand Gård
Vestsida 71
3622 Svene
Norway
Contact
Henk Aarts
Business Development Europe
European Market
Phone: +31 6 41 00 11 77
Email: henk.aarts@n2.no
Additional information