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Advance your eco-friendly fertilizer development

With the world's population predicted to rise, the agricultural industry can expect mounting pressure to ensure food security across nations.1 One of the key environmental concerns for the continued scaling of food production is the mass use of conventional fertilizers. Though effective, these fertilizers contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, with man-made nitrogen compounds in water and soil doubling in the last century.2 

For researchers interested in developing sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers, numerous materials, formulations, and delivery methods are open for exploration. From using waste products like biochar and organic matter to targeted delivery through nanotechnology, increasing sustainability can come in many forms. 

CAS enables more effective research and development of sustainable fertilizer materials and formulations through a combination of the world's largest collection of scientific information and cutting-edge technology. By accessing the latest scientific literature, securing intellectual property protection for your innovations, and developing custom digital solutions in partnership with CAS, you can push the boundaries of eco-friendly fertilizer design to create a sustainable, food-secure future.

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Streamlining your sustainable fertilizer R&D

Researchers must stay ahead of the latest agricultural practices, materials, and processes as they develop next-generation, eco-friendly fertilizers. Formulating fertilizers that are effective and environmentally sustainable demands a comprehensive review of ever-growing scientific information. Data from the CAS Content Collection™ shows the number of journal and patent publications relating to sustainable fertilizers has increased over the last five years. This highlights the challenge for research teams to navigate this information to find the insights they need.

Source: CAS Content Collection™

CAS SciFinder® and CAS Formulus® can help streamline this process by providing access to an extensive database of scientific literature, patents, and regulatory data, equipped with industry-specific filters and innovative formulation design tools. With the CAS SciFinder Discovery PlatformTM, you can find everything you need to accelerate your literature review in one place.

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Choosing eco-friendly fertilizer materials

Selecting materials for eco-friendly fertilizers involves balancing several key factors: nutrient efficiency, biodegradability, soil health impact, and overall environmental sustainability. To meet agricultural and environmental standards, recent research has focused on combining sustainable materials with innovative formulations and targeted delivery systems.

Sustainable materials
Biochar fertilizers

A carbon-rich product derived from organic waste through pyrolysis, biochar has gained significant attention for its ability to improve soil fertility, enhance water retention, and isolate carbon. Biochar has proven effective in reducing the leaching of essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, improving crop yield, and minimizing water pollution caused by runoff.3

Organic waste-based fertilizers

Derived from composted manure, plant residues, and food waste, organic waste-based fertilizers recycle organic materials back into the soil, enhancing soil organic matter and microbial activity, leading to healthier and more productive soils.4

Targeted delivery systems
Nano-fertilizers Nanoscale nutrient delivery allows for more precise and controlled fertilizer release, reducing excess nutrient delivery and surface runoff.5
Slow-release fertilizers Often coated with sulfur or polymers, slow-release fertilizers are designed to gradually release nutrients over time, aligning better with plant growth cycles, reducing nutrient runoff, and improving plant nutrient use efficiency.3

Researchers can quickly access material property information with CAS SciFinder. Fully integrated with our comprehensive materials database, CAS REGISTRY®, you have all the material properties, regulatory information, and commercial sources you need to select the right material at your fingertips. 

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Protecting your sustainable fertilizer innovations

Given the global market’s increasing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions, securing protection for new fertilizer technologies is not just a defensive strategy—it’s a proactive step toward long-term success. As the market for eco-friendly fertilizers expands, securing IP rights is essential for protecting innovations and maintaining a competitive edge. However, the complexity of the IP landscape can be challenging to navigate, particularly in areas like controlled release and nano-fertilizers, where incremental innovations can lead to significant competitive advantages.

With the STN IP Protection Suite™, you have access to the tools you need to protect your innovations. Comprehensive scientific and patent data helps you explore existing patents, monitor new filings, and identify opportunities for innovation, allowing you to take your sustainable fertilizer breakthroughs to market with confidence.

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Leveraging AI and digital transformation

AI and digital transformation are revolutionizing research and development in agriculture, including the development of eco-friendly fertilizers. With AI-driven models used to predict the environmental impact of new formulations, optimize nutrient delivery, and identify the most effective combinations of materials for specific conditions,6,7 researchers must adopt new technologies to keep pace. 

Industry experts from CAS Custom ServicesSM can support your team in building digital transformation solutions that accelerate your R&D. We integrate your proprietary data with the extensive CAS Content Collection and external third-party datasets to provide you with the fuel you need to power your AI and machine learning innovations. Whatever your digital transformation needs, CAS is your partner for success.

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Building a sustainable future for agriculture

The future of agriculture depends on the development and adoption of sustainable practices, including fertilizers that support long-term soil health and reduce environmental impact. By partnering with CAS for custom solutions and leveraging tools like the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform and STN IP Protection Suite, researchers and companies can accelerate the journey toward a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

(1) van Dijk, M.; Morley, T.; Rau, M. L.; Saghai, Y. A Meta-Analysis of Projected Global Food Demand and Population at Risk of Hunger for the Period 2010–2050. Nat. Food 2021, 2 (7), 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00322-9.

(2) Fertilizers: challenges and solutions. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/fertilizers-challenges-and-solutions (accessed 2024-08-23).

(3) Wang, C.; Luo, D.; Zhang, X.; Huang, R.; Cao, Y.; Liu, G.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, H. Biochar-Based Slow-Release of Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture: A Mini Review. Environ. Sci. Ecotechnology 2022, 10, 100167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2022.100167.

(4) Fernández-Delgado, M.; del Amo-Mateos, E.; Lucas, S.; García-Cubero, M. T.; Coca, M. Liquid Fertilizer Production from Organic Waste by Conventional and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Technologies: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment. Sci. Total Environ. 2022, 806, 150904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150904.

(5) Nongbet, A.; Mishra, A. K.; Mohanta, Y. K.; Mahanta, S.; Ray, M. K.; Khan, M.; Baek, K.-H.; Chakrabartty, I. Nanofertilizers: A Smart and Sustainable Attribute to Modern Agriculture. Plants 2022, 11 (19), 2587. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192587.

(6) Artificial intelligence can reduce fertilizer use, UK researchers say. https://resoilfoundation.org/en/innovation-technology/artificial-intelligence-fertilizer/ (accessed 2024-08-26).

(7) Thorat, T.; Patle, B. K.; Kashyap, S. K. Intelligent Insecticide and Fertilizer Recommendation System Based on TPF-CNN for Smart Farming. Smart Agric. Technol. 2023, 3, 100114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2022.100114.