Mineral fertilisers from gasified straw

A system study performed by researchers at SLU and JTI in Uppsala has revealed the possibility of making ammonia from biomass in the form of straw or Salix instead. 

Life cycle assessment methodology has been used to examine the emissions and energy use for the entire process of manufacturing nitrogenous fertiliser. Researchers have compared production methods, finding that greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by 80 per cent using the new gasification method. As yet, the gasification method is only at the pilot stage.

The researchers estimate that it is possible to produce about 4 tonnes of nitrogen a year from 1 hectare of Salix. This would produce enough nitrogenous fertiliser for 13 hectares of wheat.