The patented technology promotes circular economy by transforming farm ammonia into ammonium sulfate, a high-value organic fertilizer
Vall Companys Group, Spain’s leading agri-food company, reinforces its commitment to sustainability in the livestock sector with the official presentation of the pioneering LIFE Green Ammonia project.
Within the framework of the European Union’s LIFE programme, the project deploys an innovative patented system of high-tech permeable membranes designed to capture ammonia generated in poultry and pig farms.
The research consortium is coordinated by the University of Valladolid Foundation (UVA), with scientific leadership from the University of Valladolid and ITACYL (Agricultural Technological Institute of Castilla y León). On the business side, Vall Companys Group participates through its subsidiary Agrocesa, alongside Agroporcino Manso and the Portuguese company Vale do Junco. The patent is held by UVA and ITACYL and licensed to Agrocesa and Agroporcino Manso.
Dual approach to ammonia reduction: air and slurry
Currently in the industrial prototype phase, the technology has demonstrated high capture capacity through a dual approach. On one hand, the system can capture up to 98% of airborne emissions that pass through the equipment by extracting and filtering air from inside livestock buildings.
The main benefit of the project is the improvement of air quality in rural areas. Capturing ammonia locally is essential, as this gas forms fine particles and aerosols that affect human and animal health and contributes to soil and water acidification. This system directly reduces livestock odors and minimizes environmental impact on natural and agricultural ecosystems.
On the other hand, through the liquid pathway, the patented system acts on the liquid fraction of livestock manure, releasing up to 45% of the ammonia present in slurry, which is then captured by the membrane system. This represents a major technical milestone, as the highest concentration of nitrogen is found in the liquid fraction.
These systems represent a technological improvement over previous versions, optimizing both membrane efficiency and nitrogen recovery.
Boosting circular economy and strategic autonomy
The LIFE Green Ammonia project not only improves air quality but also transforms captured ammonia into ammonium sulfate, a high-value agricultural fertilizer. This process promotes circular economy by converting what was previously waste into a reusable and marketable resource. Additionally, after slurry separation, a compostable solid fraction is obtained, ready to be used as manure.
This local production of fertilizers is essential in the current context, as it reduces Europe’s dependence on imports from outside the European Union, strengthening the strategic autonomy of the food chain.
Commitment to rural areas and scalability
Coral Carrasco, R&D and Sustainability Coordinator at Vall Companys Group, states: “We understand that the present and future of any economic activity lies in sustainability. Participating in the development of these prototypes allows us to stay at the forefront of environmental solutions, such as emissions and odor reduction, always seeking benefits for rural areas.”
María Cruz García González, Scientific Coordinator of the project at the University of Valladolid, adds: “The results of these prototypes demonstrate that membrane technology is a highly effective solution to reduce environmental impact while protecting ecosystems without compromising the viability of the primary sector.”
To reach its full potential and enable widespread deployment, the consortium highlights the need for European legislation to recognize this innovation as a Best Available Technique (BAT), both for air filtration—applicable to any housed livestock species—and for the treatment of the liquid fraction, where the greatest potential for environmental reduction lies in the pig sector.