Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Converting Wastes to Commodities – Cost-effective, Environmentally Friendly and Beneficial Solution to Use of Poultry Litter

EPA Contract Number: 68HERC23C0032
Title: Converting Wastes to Commodities – Cost-effective, Environmentally Friendly and Beneficial Solution to Use of Poultry Litter
Investigators: Hayes, Corinne
Small Business: Cleaned and Green, LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I (2023) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water , SBIR - Homeland Security , SBIR - Sustainability , SBIR - Air and Climate

Description:

The goal of this research was to investigate the feasibility and potential marketability of a process to produce a fertilizer with near zero emissions while reutilizing waste from poultry farm litter. The goal of the process has two parts, eliminating waste from poultry farms and repurposing the waste nutrients for crop growth.

The research conducted by Cleaned and Green (C&G) included seven key activities: 1) market analysis (including both historical and project margin analysis); 2) product and technology research and development, lab scale production of thirty (30) pounds of fertilizer materials for testing, fertilizer physical properties testing, analyses of nutrient value of fertilizer macro and micro nutrients, fertilizer product testing in soil and with plants, and microbial viability testing.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Below is a summary of results and findings from the research.

1. Proof of concept for the technology has been established during this Phase I work.
2. The Market study demonstrates that the C&G fertilizer product is economically feasible. Indications based on work to date are that a commercial plant will yield an attractive return on investment. Additional work is needed to capture capital cost estimates and marketing plans.
3. The initial testing of product physical properties demonstrates the good granular shape and size for various fertilizer markets. Crush strength needs to be improved during the pilot plant (Phase II).
4. The technology safely repurposes raw chicken litter and without loss of macro and micronutrients present in the raw chicken litter making them available improve plant growth.
5. Auburn’s initial work supports our hypothesis that this product has some EEF characteristics. It shows less of a tendency to burn plants than synthetics and has shown good longer-term growth results in tomato and rye grass. Additional testing is needed on a broader range of food crops.

Conclusions:

C&G fertilizer provides the market with a versatile poultry litter-based product rich in naturally occurring primary, secondary, and micronutrients that can be used in any environment. The fertilizer works with existing fertilizers and equipment, is available in various particle sizes, and has excellent storage capabilities. The product has commercial value for markets in horticulture and home and garden as well as golf courses where the prices and margins are high and the feature of lack of noxious odor is a benefit. The product also has commercial value in the agricultural market. Independent analysis by Foresight Science and Technology has validated our internal analysis. Foresight suggests a greater focus on the higher value markets [turf and ornamental] would improve our overall financials.