【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】BASF and Yuntianhua successfully demonstrated the greenhouse gas reduction effect of using stable urea fertilizers

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BASF and Yuntianhua successfully demonstrated the greenhouse gas reduction effects of using stable urea fertilizers. BASF, 2025-06-04: Pilot projects have shown that adding Lumostar® urease inhibitors to urea fertilizers can reduce emissions by over 46,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent； These emission reductions have been independently verified in accordance with international carbon accounting standards ； With the successful first pilot, certification for the carbon emission reduction monitoring cycle will be pursued further with Yuntianhua, while opportunities for expanding the project on a global scale will be explored ； In 2023, BASF and the Chinese fertilizer manufacturer Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd. launched a pilot project in China to verify the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced by using stable urea fertilizers produced by Yuntianhua that contain BASF’s Lumostar® urease inhibitor. The results of the pilot project confirmed that, compared to urea fertilizers not treated with Limous Star urease inhibitor, the fertilizers treated with Limous Star by Yuntianhua reduced carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by approximately 46,584 tons. This estimate is based on the stable urea containing Limoxing sold by Yuntianhua during the pilot period. These achievements not only contribute to the implementation of climate-smart agriculture initiatives in China, but also signify the successful execution of the project, laying the foundation for its further expansion on a global scale. Approximately 15% of the nitrogen in urea fertilizers volatilizes into the atmosphere in the form of ammonia, affecting air quality and biodiversity. Furthermore, nitrogen applied to farmland is released into the atmosphere in the form of nitrous oxide, becoming a greenhouse gas. Nitrogen loss not only has adverse effects on the environment but also affects crop yield and quality, as the available nitrogen decreases at a time when crops need it most. The successful results of this project once again prove that urea fertilizers treated with Limouxing release less ammonia and nitrous oxide. As part of its Climate Smart Agriculture initiative, Yuntianhua has carried out numerous trials and demonstrations for growers, distributors, and retailers to showcase the benefits of stabilized urea. The project has been verified by independent auditors in accordance with the international ISO 14064 standard, and it has been included in the public project database known as the GHG CleanProjects® Registry ； This database contains greenhouse gas emission inventories and reports for projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases, in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard. BASF is also collaborating with First Climate, a global leader in carbon management and sustainable solutions, to launch this pilot project in China and monitor its outcomes. Dr. Markus Schmid, Head of BASF’s Global Fertilizer Management, said: “Together with Yuntianhua, we have not only demonstrated the feasibility of emission reductions through this climate-smart agriculture project, but also highlighted its importance in the context of global climate change, as agriculture plays a crucial role in addressing climate challenges.” The project is currently in its second monitoring cycle, which helps lay the foundation for expanding it to partners in the food value chain. ” Chen Jin, general manager of Yunnan Yuntianhua Agricultural Inputs Chain Co., Ltd., said, “Limouxing is an innovatively designed product. Tests have shown that it not only reduces the amount of urea fertilizer needed, improving efficiency and crop yields, but also significantly cuts down on the loss of nitrogen into the environment. It represents a win-win solution for the fertilizer industry, growers, and society as a whole.” By continuing to advance this climate-smart agriculture initiative with BASF, we are committed to achieving our strategic goals for modern agriculture and seeking innovative solutions to promote sustainable agricultural development. ” Based on the experience gained from the pilot project, as well as the robust and scalable monitoring procedures established for it, BASF is working with Yuntianhua to carry out a second monitoring cycle in order to verify once again the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced by the urea fertilizer treated with Limuoxing throughout 2024. BASF is also exploring opportunities on a global scale to engage in similar collaborations with other **fertilizer manufacturers. The goal is to encourage more fertilizer manufacturers at the upstream stage of the agricultural value chain to join the effort to practice climate-smart agriculture, thereby achieving proven emission reductions through the use of stable urea fertilizers and reducing their carbon footprint.