ICL ushered in a new era for controlled-release urea with the launch of eqo.x, a biodegradable rapid-release technology designed for open field agriculture. This solution is achieved through a coating, which will help farmers maximize agricultural crop performance while limiting environmental impact by reducing nutrient loss and increasing nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by up to 80%.
Release technology also allows for increased yields with reduced fertilizer rates; can help reduce the number and amount of nitrogen applications and provides a consistent, predictable release of nutrients.
According to the company, it is important to highlight that the eqo.x release technology is the first offering on the market to provide a controlled release fertilizer (CRF) coating for urea, which biodegrades more quickly, and has been specifically designed to meet the future European fertilizer standards set to come into force in 2026.
The new technology will be applied to ICL's CRF products for agricultural crops, including its Agromaster and Agrocote brands, and will help achieve a reduction in nutrient losses. This achievement is a key tool of both the European "Farm to Fork" strategy and the EU's 2030 soil strategy, which aims to reduce nutrient loss by at least 50% by 2030.
"ICL is proud to introduce our most advanced CRF coating technology, fast-biodegrading eqo.x, which will help regulate nutrient release on a daily basis - responding to the specific needs of each crop - and result in greater nutrient use efficiency " said Elad Aharonson (pictured), president of Innovative Ag Solutions for ICL.
"Our innovative, sustainable and new technology will deliver precise nutrition through a coating that biodegrades faster and helps improve yields, reduce nutrient loss and simplify fertilizer application. This will not only benefit farmers, but also will help the environment as it will greatly reduce the leaching of nutrients into both soil and groundwater when compared to conventional fertilizers.”
ICL expects to have this new and innovative coating ready for European Union farmers by 2023 and, in order to meet expected market demand, is investing US$20 million in a new production line for the eqo release technology. x at its facility in Heerlen, the Netherlands.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global controlled-release fertilizer market size was US$2,3 billion in 2018 and projected to reach US$3,86 billion by 2026, resulting in a CAGR of 6,37% during the expected period.
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