September 2025

This issue begins with an insightful keynote by sbh4 Consulting, which considers low-cost, low-risk pathways to reduced carbon dioxide intensity in the production of nitrogen fertilizers. This issue also includes articles discussing decarbonisation, ammonium nitrates/nitric acid, digitalisation and production optimisation, heat exchanger technology, waste water treatment and management, coatings and archives, and screening and separation efficiency.

This month's front cover is brought to you by CASALE SA.

Low-cost, low-risk pathways
Stephen B. Harrison, sbh4 Consulting, Germany, considers low-cost, low-risk pathways to reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) intensity in the production of nitrogen fertilizers.

Applying the right pressure
Iacopo Cerea, CASALE SA, Switzerland, presents an example of how dual-pressure processes can assist nitric acid plants in achieving higher rates of energy efficiency.

The latest improvements for N₂O abatement
Ronny Loof and Daniel Birke, thyssenkrupp Uhde, Germany, discuss improvements developed for emissions abatement technology in fertilizer processing.

Advancing the nitrogen value chain
Deepak Shetty, Rolf Postma, and Nikolay Ketov, Stamicarbon (NEXTCHEM), the Netherlands, detail the intergration of ammonia and fertilizer technologies to support the energy transition.

Harnessing hydrogen for ammonia production
Rudolf Huycke, H2SITE, explores how palladium membranes enable sustainable ammonia production with lower energy use and emissions.

On the brink of change
Dr Ophira Melamed, NitroFix, analyses the future of decentralised green ammonia for agriculture.

The future of crop fertilizers
Alex Valentine, Andres Agurto, and Franz Hippler, Yara R&D, discuss the future of crop fertilizers, and why the role of crop nutrition – especially from the mineral fertilizer industry – is rarely present in science-fiction films.

Efficient nutrient use: past, present, and future
Britney Hunter, Nano-Yield, reveals how fertilizer producers can shift from a yield-focused approach, to one that prioritises nutrient use efficiency.

Next generation anticaking agents for urea
Khaled Matalka, Elsayed Saad, and Noureddine Abbes, JAS Global Industries, discuss traditional and next-generation anticaking agents suitable for technical grade urea used in a variety of sensitive applications.

Proven performance: advanced graphite in action
Joan Bova, CG Thermal, USA, assesses new graphite tube technology in phosphoric acid applications and how they can improve reliability, efficiency, and serviceability.

Making the most out of your metals
Philipp Verbnik and Philipp Hübner, VDM Metals Group, Germany, reveal how the advantages of nickel alloys and the cost benefits of stainless steels can be combined to better mitigate corrosion in phosphoric acid production.

The hidden economics of fertilizer production
Tountzer Ramadan, RHEWUM GmbH, Germany, examines how poor screening efficiency creates economic losses in fertilizer production and demonstrates pathways to optimise separation processes for enhanced profitability.

Driving performance with digital insights
Tom Mazzacavallo and Ed Kuenz, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, analyse how digital technology provides producers with real-time visibility, enabling them to stay ahead of fouling, scaling, and corrosion in their facilities.

Some realities behind cooler/condensers
Keith Jensen, Novatech, explores troubleshooting experiences and presents possible resolutions for problems seen in cooler/condensers in the fertilizer industry.

Lifelong digital learning
Tommy Allan Jensen, Topsoe, Denmark, argues that investing in digital training for plant personnel is as important as investing in new plant hardware and technology, and could help shape the future of the ammonia industry.

The right pump for the job
Frank Bungartz, Paul Bungartz GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, discusses the requirements, challenges, and type of pumps involved in producing nitrogenous fertilizer.

September 2025

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