BASF and Yunnan Yuntianhua partnership to support climate smart farming initiatives

BASF and Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd., a Chinese chemical fertilizer company, have undertaken a pilot project in China to demonstrate the reduction of CO₂e emissions from the use of Yuntianhua’s stabilized urea fertilizer using BASF’s urease inhibitor Limus^®. The findings are expected to benefit climate-smart farming projects in China as well as program growth potential around the world.

″We are excited to be a pioneer with Yuntianhua in bringing more value to farmers in China through this climate-smart farming initiative. Our work with Yuntianhua will set the stage for future, similar projects with partners along the food value chain, which we as BASF are actively seeking,″ Dr. Markus Schmid, N-Management business lead at BASF, declared.

Water and air quality deteriorate as a result of ammonia released into the atmosphere, which makes up around 15% of the nitrogen in urea fertilizer. Applied nitrogen that is released as nitrous oxide can also act as a greenhouse gas and reach the atmosphere. Farmers experience financial and yield quality losses due to reduced nitrogen availability for crops during critical growth periods, in addition to the environmental consequences of nitrogen loss.

″Applying Limus^® urease inhibitor on urea fertilizer stabilizes the urea and emits less ammonia and nitrous oxide than standard, non-treated fertilizers. The first results of the pilot project are expected to be reported in 2024. The methodology has been validated by an independent auditor according to the international ISO 14064 standard. Based on learnings from the pilot project, BASF commits to explore similar opportunities with other fertilizer manufacturers in China and other countries globally. The aim is to enable upstream producers in the agricultural value chain to obtain verified emissions reductions from the use of stabilized nitrogen fertilizers,″ according to a recent press release.

In addition, BASF worked with First Climate, a preeminent international supplier of green energy and carbon management services, to design and carry out the pilot project in China. First Climate is in charge of overseeing the project’s results and creating the technique for measuring the project’s emissions reductions. Additionally, the company will help market the carbon credits that result from the project’s decrease in emissions.

″Partnership is the cornerstone to accelerate the path towards transformation. BASF is the ideal innovative partner of Yuntianhua, which is in line with Yuntianhua’s development vision and strategic goals. We look forward to reaching a deeper and broader collaboration in the future to jointly solve the pain points and difficulties in fertilizer innovation and product upgrading,″ Shuxin Zhai, Deputy General Manager of Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Yuntianhua Agricultural Material Chain Co., Ltd, concluded.