Innovating Fertiliser with Captured Carbon
Funded through the Grand Challenge Round 1 in 2014, CCm Research Ltd. set out to demonstrate the direct capture of CO2 from post-combustion exhaust gases and to quantify the broader environmental benefits of embedding captured carbon into new products. Their process integrates CO2 into a range of materials, most notably a compound fertiliser, where the presence of CO2 enhances product performance. Over the course of the project, CCm designed and operated a multi-tonne pilot unit that captured up to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 per day and produced up to 5 tonnes of fertiliser. The fertiliser was field-tested across multiple crops and approved for sale under the UK Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS), confirming both its agronomic value and commercial readiness.
Transforming Emissions into Agricultural Value
Deployed at a landfill gas-to-energy site in Oxfordshire, the pilot unit demonstrated consistent performance in real-world conditions. Fertiliser produced on-site was tested on grass, wheat, and barley, with some trials showing yield increases of up to 6.3 per cent. In addition to carbon capture, the process also recovered heat from the exothermic reaction, offering further environmental and operational benefits.
What’s next?
As of November 2021, CCm is preparing to integrate its heat storage technology into a new development unit that will demonstrate both fertiliser production and thermal energy recovery. The company is pursuing partnerships in the UK and Canada, with plans to deploy the technology at anaerobic digestion (AD) and heavy oil sites. Long-term soil carbon retention studies are also underway in collaboration with the University of Sheffield. While CCm ultimately did not end up commercializing in Alberta, they have had continued success in raising funds in the UK and continue to be involved in waste-to-product technologies in the agriculture industry.