Lucent BioSciences is receiving up to CA$1.98 million from the Government of Canada to advance a biodegradable coating for controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers, with the project aimed at reducing microplastics, nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Burnaby, B.C.-based company will receive up to $1,976,150 through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program – Research and Innovation Stream.

The technology is being developed as an alternative to the microplastic coatings used on many controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers. Lucent Bio plans to apply a biodegradable coating made from surplus starch fertilizer to controlled-release products.

The coating is designed to regulate nitrogen release so that it more closely matches crop demand during the growing season. If successful, the approach could improve nitrogen-use efficiency and reduce the amount of fertilizer required, potentially lowering both input costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Federal government funding gives Lucent Bio the opportunity to take the technology we have been developing and move it into a new area with significant potential in agriculture,” said Farah Nour, co-founder and chief science officer at Lucent BioSciences.

Nour said the company is applying its biodegradable biopolymer technology to controlled-release nitrogen to help growers obtain more value from applied nitrogen while reducing nutrient losses to the environment. The funding, Nour added, will allow the company to accelerate development and move the technology closer to commercial use.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the project reflects the role Canadian companies can play in developing technologies aimed at improving agricultural sustainability.

“Canadian companies are developing innovative solutions that can help make agriculture more sustainable and resilient,” MacDonald said. He added that the Lucent Bio project could help farmers use nitrogen more efficiently while reducing fertilizer use, emissions and microplastics.

Lucent Bio previously received up to $1,333,761 through the ACT Program in 2022 to develop its biodegradable coating technology for use on seeds. That technology is now known as Nutreos.

The new project expands the technology into controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer applications. Lucent Bio is working with A&L Canada Laboratories, Bureau Veritas Canada, Simon Fraser University’s Chemistry Department and 4D LABs.

The ACT Program supports the development and adoption of clean technologies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the long-term competitiveness of Canadian agriculture. Its priority areas include green energy and energy efficiency, precision agriculture and bioeconomy solutions.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 535 projects have been announced through the ACT Program to date, representing up to more than $314 million in funding across Canada.