Vall Companys Group, Spain\u2019s leading agri-food company, reinforces its commitment to sustainability in the livestock sector with the official presentation of the pioneering LIFE Green Ammonia project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within the framework of the European Union\u2019s LIFE programme, the project deploys an innovative patented system of high-tech permeable membranes designed to capture ammonia generated in poultry and pig farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 Le\u00f3n). 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dual approach to ammonia reduction: air and slurry<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These systems represent a technological improvement over previous versions, optimizing both membrane efficiency and nitrogen recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boosting circular economy and strategic autonomy<\/strong> This local production of fertilizers is essential in the current context, as it reduces Europe\u2019s dependence on imports from outside the European Union, strengthening the strategic autonomy of the food chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n