Danish startup NitroVolt is making significant strides in revolutionizing the agricultural sector with its innovative approach to producing green ammonia. The company recently secured €3.5 million in seed funding, a financial boost that will help bring its zero-emission ammonia technology from lab to field. Participants in this funding round include BackingMinds, a Swedish venture capital firm, the Danish sovereign wealth fund EIFO, and several climate tech investors such as EQT Foundation, Satgana, and DivisionM. Notably, the Breakthrough Energy Fellowship has also transitioned from providing a grant in 2023 to making an equity investment in this funding round, underscoring the growing interest in sustainable agricultural solutions.
NitroVolt’s mission is to produce green ammonia directly at the point of use—on the farm—thereby transforming the existing supply chain that often relies on fossil fuels and emits significant CO2. By utilizing its proprietary ‘Nitrolyzer’ system, NitroVolt combines air, water, and renewable electricity in an electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis process. This innovative method completely eliminates fossil fuels from the production equation, resulting in ammonia that is 100% renewable and carbon-free. Such a breakthrough could have profound implications for farmers, who have traditionally been at the mercy of fluctuating fertilizer prices and supply chain disruptions.
The funding will primarily be allocated to the construction of a container-sized demonstration unit, which will serve as the first real-world application of NitroVolt’s technology. This unit will produce green ammonia using only the essential elements—air, water, and clean electricity—making it a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers. The demonstration unit will not only validate the viability of NitroVolt’s technology but will also serve as a prototype for scaling up production in the future.
As the agricultural sector faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, NitroVolt’s technology could be a game changer. The ability to produce ammonia on-site means that farmers can have direct access to a sustainable source of fertilizer, reducing reliance on long supply chains that are vulnerable to disruptions and price hikes. By streamlining the production process, NitroVolt aims to provide farmers with a competitive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ammonia, which often comes with a hefty carbon footprint.
The company’s founders, Suzanne and Mattia, have garnered praise for their execution capabilities and vision, which have attracted a stellar lineup of investors eager to support this groundbreaking venture. Jasenko Hadzic, Principal at BackingMinds, expressed confidence in NitroVolt’s potential, stating that the technology could significantly impact food security and agricultural sustainability.
In addition to building the demonstration unit, the seed funding will also be used to establish partnerships with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Collaborations with suppliers and other agricultural technology firms will be crucial for scaling NitroVolt’s systems and ensuring that farmers can easily adopt this innovative solution.
As the world grapples with climate change and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, NitroVolt’s advancements in green ammonia technology represent a promising step forward. By enabling farmers to produce their own fertilizers sustainably, NitroVolt not only addresses environmental concerns but also empowers farmers to take control of their inputs, ultimately contributing to a more resilient food system. The implications of this technology stretch far beyond Denmark, potentially influencing agricultural practices worldwide as the demand for sustainable solutions continues to grow.