The objectives of the study were to identify new opportunities in higher value-added fertilisers in order to assist a client in expanding its business. The clients wished to become more pro-active in new product development in proprietary high margin products. The company’s objectives for new products were to reduce nutrient leaching, to reduce the use of chemicals, to increase the efficiency of nutrient use, to revitalise damaged forests, to reduce the level of nitrogen in harvested crops, to save water. Opportunities had to fit with the objectives, be novel (preferably patented), sizeable (>$2 m per annum), not be bulk products, not be a single item, not have a long lead time, acquisitions must not be >£5 m, partnerships Areas of prime interest were plant nutrients in which new formulations and controlled release systems were high priority and microbial products, fertigation equipment, growth substrates.
The contents of the study included:
Fertilizer formulation and slow release mechanisms
Slow release nutrient charged zeolite applications
Tailor made surfactants for use in slow release systems
Controlled release through multiple emulsions
Starter & booster fertilization
Use of hydrogels in slow release
A new process for manufacturing urea granules
Production of fertilizers from industrial, municipal and agricultural waste
The use of microbes and microbial products as biofertilizers
Microbial degradation of turf thatch and black layer
Nitrogen fertilizer enhancement and other cytozyme products
Phosphate solubilizing fungus
Endomycorrhizal peat inoculants
Trichoderma based products as plant growth stimulators
Fertigation and irrigation equipment and systems
Fertigation sterilization by electro-chemical activation
Irrigation control through the measurement of leaf thickness
Fertigation control using a novel moisture sensing valve
Precision horticulture – development of fertilizer application software
Fertilizer application expert system
Controlled release fertiliser models
Polyethylene oxide uses in horticulture
Use of polyethylene oxide as a soil ameliorant in saline irrigation
A novel hydroponic substrate based on polyethylene oxide and perlite
