US startup Nitricity has made a breakthrough in fertilizer production by finding a way to produce nitrogen fertilizer using only air, water, and electricity. The company has recently started field trials for its fertilizer product with Salinas Valley farmers, including suppliers for Chipotle Mexican Grill. Funding from Cultivate Next, managed by Chipotle Mexican Grill, will be used to scale up Nitricity’s production of nitrogen, build out the company’s infrastructure, and support the launch of its first commercial product.
Nitricity’s process not only mitigates greenhouse gas emissions but also brings fertilizer production closer to fields. The startup uses a plasma-based process to split nitrogen molecules from air, reacts the nitrogen with oxygen, and forms nitrate fertilizers in water. This innovative method captures fixed nitrogen to make nitrate-based fertilizers. Nitricity aims to set up regional facilities for large-scale production and focus on low-cost production to make its blends cost-competitive with conventional fertilizers.
The initial product-market focus for Nitricity’s fertilizer is farmers in the American Southwest and West who use nitrate-based fertilizers for specialty crops. Later, the company plans to provide its product to Midwest row crop growers who mainly use ammonia, urea, or urea ammonium nitrate. Nitricity’s CEO, Nico Pinkowski, emphasizes that the company is committed to producing fertilizer that is optimized for farmers, not factory production or freight distribution.
The partnership with Chipotle is expected to accelerate Nitricity’s path toward disrupting the industry with climate-smart technology. Jack Hartung, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Chipotle, believes that Nitricity’s product innovation offers environmental benefits that align with Chipotle’s approach to Food With Integrity.
Nitricity has already conducted field trials with products such as tomatoes, oats, and corn. In a trial with tomatoes, Nitricity’s nitrate-based fertilizer program showed higher nitrogen use efficiency compared to conventional UAN 32 fertilizer. The company’s fertilizer offering not only has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of the fertilizer industry but also provides a cost-effective solution for growers facing steep price increases due to supply chain issues and rising distribution costs.
The production and application of nitrogen fertilizers are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Nitricity’s electrified method to produce nitric acid and nitrate-based fertilizers can substantially reduce emissions. The company believes that electrifying production and focusing on nitrate-based fertilizers with lower associated field emissions is crucial for decarbonizing the future.
Founded by a team of graduate students from Stanford University in 2018, Nitricity is now scaling its technology. With the support of Chipotle and other partners, the startup aims to revolutionize the fertilizer industry and provide farmers with a sustainable and cost-effective solution. By harnessing the power of air, water, and electricity, Nitricity is catching lightning in a bottle and paving the way for a greener and more efficient agricultural future.