Reform Bio, a startup company developed by entrepreneur Kyle Anderson and Iowa State University scientist Santanu Bakshi, is advancing a new biochar-based fertilizer designed to address nutrient loss in agricultural settings. The company’s initial product focuses on a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, a critical nutrient for crops such as corn, which is susceptible to runoff during heavy rainfall. This issue is a concern for farmers due to both the economic loss of the fertilizer and its environmental impact on waterways.

​The technology is built on a discovery by Bakshi that a biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More product, derived from biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More treated with specific minerals, can adsorb a significant amount of nutrients. This method, which has been granted a patent, creates a stable, long-lasting fertilizer pellet. The pellets are then covered with a food-grade coating to ensure a gradual release of nitrogen, matching the nutrient demands of crops over an entire growing cycle. The process leverages pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More to convert biomass into both liquid bio-oil and solid biochar, a circular approach that transforms agricultural waste into a valuable product.

The use of this biochar-based product has several potential benefits beyond nutrient efficiency. By improving fertilizer uptake, the technology could help reduce input costs for farmers. Additionally, the biochar itself contributes to increased carbon content in the soil, supporting soil health. The reduction in nitrogen runoff is also expected to have a positive effect on water quality, lessening the risk of issues like fish kills and algae blooms in downstream water bodies. The company aims to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-based fertilizers, offering a solution that supports both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.

SOURCE: Iowa State Tech Fuels Slow-Release Fertilizer Startup