Bion Environmental Technologies Inc., New York City, said on Dec. 13 it is preparing an application to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for certification of its ammonium bicarbonate production process. The company said the ammonium bicarbonate crystals produced by a pilot plant have been analyzed by an independent lab and will serve as the foundation of the OMRI application.
“The added economic driver of an organic, water-soluble, and quick-release nitrogen fertilizer cannot be overemphasized,” said Craig Scott, Bion Director of Communications. “U.S. organic sales hit a record $52.5 billion in 2018, making it the fastest growing segment of American agriculture.”
Bion said its 3G technology, which was patented in 2018, captures ammonia in the livestock waste stream and converts it into stable concentrated ammonium bicarbonate (GM Aug. 16, p. 24). It will contain 12-17 percent nitrogen in a crystalline form that is easily transported, water soluble, and provides readily-available nitrogen. It will contain none of the other salt, iron, and mineral constituents of the livestock waste stream, and will be in an industry-standard form that can be precision-applied to crops using existing equipment.
Bion announced in August that the Terms and Definitions Committee of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) has recommended to officially approve ammonium bicarbonate as a listed fertilizer under their guidelines at their next meeting in February 2020 (GM Aug. 16, p. 24).