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BIOLOGICAL AMMONIA REMEDIATION IN LIVESTOCK FARMING

Project description

Solution to minimise ammonia emissions from their source

Atmospheric ammonia emission (NH3) has great environmental implications due to its crucial role in the ecosystem and global nitrogen cycle and as an important source of particulate matter formation. Ammonia emissions from manure are associated with animal disease, mortality, and lower quality of dairy products. Existing solutions do not eliminate ammonia emissions from their source. The EU-funded NITROBIO project aims to obtain the validation of the first solution designed to work directly on the source of ammonia emissions with substantial efficiency of above 80 % up to nearly 100 %. The solution increases the natural process occurring in the manure when a microbial enzymatic mix is applied directly to it, accelerating the natural transformation processes. Once NH3 is transformed, its emission stops.

Objective

94% of all ammonia emissions in the EU result from agriculture, with livestock responsible for 80%. Ammonia is found in the animals’ excreta and rapidly volatilises to the environment. Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) has great environmental implications due to its important role in ecosystem and global nitrogen cycle, as well as contribution to secondary particle formation. Particulate ammonium species contribute to the degradation of air quality and visibility, as well as to the atmospheric radiative balance. NH3 emissions are also a primary cause of welfare problems in livestock farming. Up to 30% productivity losses have been reported in farms, associated to animals’ disease, mortality and lower quality of the meat or milk.
To date, no solutions exist that eliminate NH3 from its source, but only solutions that reduce it once released, not eliminating the problem. We have developed the first solution designed to work directly on the source of NH3 emissions and do it with an efficiency or nearly 100%. Our solution consists of a microbial-enzymatic mix that is applied directly to the manure to accelerate the natural transformation processes. Once NH3 is transformed, its emission stops. The approach is based on enhancing the natural process occurring in the manure. It is 100% natural based and is specific to each farm type, as each animal’s manure differs, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal dose. The composition has recently been patent granted in Europe and Asia. So far, we have completed development of our solution for bovine and pigs, however, their entry is limited by the absence of a validation form a recognised research institute. We now aim to obtain this validation as well as continue development to extent the formulation to all other types of farms. Our product has already been sold to several farms in Switzerland, Italy and Mexico, where our efforts to sell have focused. So far, all feedback and test results have been a success.

Call for proposal

H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1

Coordinator

BIOMA SA
Net EU contribution
€ 50 000,00
Address
VIA LUSERTE SUD 8
6572 QUARTINO
Switzerland

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Ticino Ticino
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 71 429,00