Fertilisers from ship emissions – the MERI‑NEWS project connects sustainable solutions in maritime transport and agriculture
In the MERI‑NEWS project, a multidisciplinary research effort aims for a significant breakthrough in improving the sustainability of maritime transport and agriculture, as well as fertiliser self‑sufficiency. The goal is to utilize ship emissions and waste streams in the production of fertilisers, fuels and graphite. This enables the recycling of valuable raw materials and improves resource efficiency, self‑sufficiency and security of supply both in Finland and globally. The project also assesses opportunities to reduce agricultural climate emissions.
Ship emissions and waste streams are currently not used as raw materials, even though they contain valuable components. Through new business models and processes, these streams can be converted into useful products. MERI‑NEWS explores entirely new concepts and develops technologies to utilise maritime emissions and waste in the production of fertilisers, fuels and graphite.
The project takes a holistic approach: it covers technologies for capturing and reusing ship emissions and waste streams, as well as research on crop responses to urea fertilisers and reducing field-level climate emissions through urea-based fertilisers. In addition, the project will establish a Ship Business Model Forum expert network to identify new business models and markets for products derived from ship emissions. These sustainable solutions improve competitiveness and accelerate the shift toward low emission maritime transport.
A second focus area is the use of ship waste in biogas production and the synthesis of methanol fuel from the CO₂ fraction of biogas and hydrogen obtained from methane splitting. Methane splitting also produces carbon that can be used as a raw material for graphite. The demand for graphite is increasing significantly as transport electrifies, and lithium‑ion batteries already use about 50% of available graphite. The development of direct methanol synthesis builds on VTT’s earlier expertise, which will be expanded to maritime scale.
“Meyer Turku Oy has long recognized the potential in utilising waste generated in cruise ship operations. The company is participating in the MERI‑NEWS project and believes it will provide an important step forward in this highly interesting but challenging field. The other circular‑economy and sustainability‑focused research topics explored in the project also respond to industry needs,” says Jussi Blomberg, Development Manager at Meyer Turku.
Demand for ammonia is rising significantly
It is estimated that half of the world’s population depends on fertilisers made from ammonia produced with fossil fuels. Demand is expected to grow considerably — both for ammonia‑ and urea‑based fertilisers and for ammonia as a carbon‑free marine fuel, an energy‑storage solution, and a hydrogen carrier.
“Ammonia production via the traditional Haber–Bosch process from natural gas is extremely energy-intensive, and production is geographically concentrated. This increases pressure to develop new production pathways for ammonia and nitrogen-based fertilisers,” notes Matti Reinikainen, Senior Principal Scientist at VTT.
The MERI-NEWS project develops methods for capturing nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) from ships and creating new synthesis routes for producing ammonia and urea.
“Estimates suggest that ship emissions could be used to produce up to 12 million tonnes of nitrogen-based fertiliser annually, and the figure would be even higher when emissions from energy production are included. Developing alternative technologies would increase local self-sufficiency in producing critical fertilisers and support the transition to fossil free raw materials,” says Päivi Aakko-Saksa, Principal Scientist at VTT.
Urea‑based fertilisers can reduce field emissions
“Urea-based fertilisers can reduce climate-warming nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from arable farming compared with traditional fertilisers, but there is still limited research under northern production conditions. This is the focus of the MERI-NEWS project’s research at the Natural Resources Institute Finland’s field trials in Maaninka,” says Sanna Kykkänen, Researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
The aim is to assess the yield potential and climate emissions of urea fertilisation in Finnish conditions and promote the environmentally sustainable use of urea. The study compares various urea‑based fertilisers with commonly used ammonium‑nitrate fertilisers in grass cultivation. Grass is a key crop in Finland due to dairy and beef production. Approximately 40% of agricultural land in Finland is grassland.
“Urea fertilisers containing inhibitors can potentially reduce nitrous oxide emissions caused by the use of mineral nitrogen fertilisers. Alongside the positive climate impact, it is also important to aim to increase grass yields and reduce the total cost of crop production. In Finland, the use of urea fertilisers containing inhibitors is still limited, but abroad their use is more common and user experiences have been positive. Valio is particularly interested in the results of the MERI-NEWS project’s long-term agronomic urea fertiliser trials, which provide information on the climate impacts, yield effects and cost impacts of urea fertilisers containing inhibitors,” says Development Manager Robert Harmoinen from Valio.
The three‑year MERI‑NEWS project includes the following partners: Business Finland, VTT, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Meyer Turku, Valio, HVK, ROTOBOOST, Green North Energy, Langh Tech, FC Fertilizing Oy. The project is coordinated by VTT and has a budget of EUR 1.46 million.
