This project advances agricultural clean technology by developing a sustainable controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer that improves the delivery of nutrients to crops. Conventional fertilizers, particularly urea, are widely used but inefficient, with only 30–35% of applied nitrogen absorbed by plants. The remainder is lost to the environment, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water contamination, and soil degradation.

Lucent BioSciences has developed Agreos, a biodegradable, microplastic-free coating that enables controlled nitrogen release. Unlike conventional coated fertilizers that rely on synthetic plastics, Agreos uses plant-based materials derived from agricultural feedstocks. This allows nitrogen to be released gradually in alignment with crop demand, improving efficiency and reducing losses.

The technology is currently in the validation stage, with laboratory and greenhouse results demonstrating improved nitrogen-use efficiency and the potential to reduce fertilizer application rates while maintaining yield. This project will advance Agreos through field trials and scale-up activities to confirm performance under commercial farming conditions. It will develop and evaluate an oil-based coating approach to ensure compatibility with existing fertilizer manufacturing practices and improve market adoption.

By improving nitrogen efficiency, Agreos is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease fertilizer runoff into water systems, and eliminate microplastic accumulation in soil. The result is a scalable solution that supports both farm productivity and environmental sustainability.