Cellulose-Coated NPK Fertilizer for Bi-Phasic Nutrient Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fertilizers often have impractical release profiles, with quick-release fertilizers leading to nutrient loss during high-leaching events and controlled-release fertilizers accumulating in soils, while dual-release compositions are lacking in the market, particularly those using biodegradable materials.

Innovation Solution

A dual-release fertilizer composition is developed using ammonium cellulose phosphate and potassium ammonium phosphate, where the latter is encapsulated within the former, providing immediate and sustained nutrient release, utilizing a renewable and biodegradable polymeric component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If quick-release fertilizers are used, then immediate nutrient availability is improved, but nutrient loss during high-leaching events occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient release rateVSAvoidnutrient loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fertilizer system is segmented into two distinct components: a quick-release fertilizer component for immediate nutrient availability and a controlled-release fertilizer component for sustained nutrient release. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of the other approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controlled-release fertilizer component is encapsulated within or mixed with the quick-release fertilizer component, creating a nested structure where the controlled-release material is embedded in the matrix of the quick-release fertilizer. This nested configuration enables dual functionality in a single fertilizer product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of moving object

If controlled-release fertilizers are used, then nutrient release is sustained over time, but accumulation in soils occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient release durationVSAvoidsoil accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameters by using biodegradable polymers as the controlled-release component. These polymers have the property of degrading over time in soil conditions, transforming from a persistent material into harmless byproducts, thus preventing long-term accumulation while maintaining sustained nutrient release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual-release fertilizer compositions are developed, then both immediate and sustained nutrient release are achieved, but use of non-biodegradable components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-release capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm from non-biodegradable materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite fertilizer material combining quick-release fertilizer (such as ammonium nitrate or urea) with controlled-release fertilizer encapsulated in biodegradable polymer matrices (such as starch, cellulose, or protein-based polymers). This composite structure achieves dual-release functionality while ensuring environmental compatibility through biodegradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition offers a bi-phasic nutrient release profile, enhancing crop fertilization with both immediate and sustained nutrient availability, avoiding soil accumulation and leveraging sustainable sourcing.

Implementation Method 1

reacting a cellulosic material with phosphoric acid to produce a phosphorylated cellulosic material, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic material hydroxyl groups are phosphorylated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhosphorylation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

reacting the phosphorylated cellulosic material with a source of ammonia to produce ammonium cellulose phosphate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

reacting a potassium compound with phosphoric acid to form a potassium phosphate compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

reacting the potassium phosphate compound with a source of ammonia to produce potassium ammonium phosphate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

Upon exposure to moisture, at least part of the salt component can dissolve rapidly, thereby providing an immediate release of fertilizer nutrients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS20250388519A1Method for production of cellulose-coated NPK complex nutrient

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SABIC AGRI NUTRIENTS CO

AI summary

A fertilizer composition comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients, and methods for producing and using the same are disclosed. The fertilizer composition may include ammonium cellulose phosphate with potassium ammonium phosphate encapsulated within the ammonium cellulose phosphate. The ammonium cellulose phosphate fertilizer may also include potassium ammonium phosphate absorbed on the surface of ammonium cellulose phosphate.