Maximising the efficiency of nutrients through novel technology

Introducing Tnue, a company which has a total focus on maximising the efficiency of nutrients through a novel Control Release Membrane (CRM) technology, developed for fertiliser and in particular Urea.

Tnue purchased this CRM technology from Eko360, the company which we initially introduced as a participant in the Farm2050 Nutrient Trial Platform. 

Tnue stands for ‘Total Nutrient Use Efficiency’ and Co-Founder Bruce Smith lives and breathes the essence of this name. He understands that if the food and fibre industry is to play their part in reducing global warming, cleaning up our rivers and reducing our carbon footprint, we need to improve our nutrient use efficiency. 

A real driver for Tnue’s success is its role in the reduction of losses of nitrogen to the environment. 

“Research shows our CRM technology when applied to urea, greatly increases the efficiency of the nitrogen. Growing more plant matter per kg of nitrogen applied than urea without CRM. This means there is a reduction in Nitrogen losses to waterways, greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and creating overall on-farm operational efficiencies. Achieving such outcomes means we are able to significantly contribute to an increase in farmers' and growers’ profitability with a reduced environmental impact from farming,” says Smith.

Farm2050’s platform plays a key role in collaboration with other industry organisations with the same aspirations as Tnue. While Bruce and his team are hyperfocused on their goals, the partnership with Plant and Food Research has bought a number of scientific benefits to the company. Their researchers have been able to ratify the scientific data on Tnue’s CRM, with the company gaining an important insight at a deeper level. This programme is validating the robustness of the CRM technology by demonstrating its ability to deliver repeatable results no matter the soil condition, soil type or moisture content. 

Finally, the Tnue team recognises that with the support of the Farm2050 platform they are able to link to other like-minded companies to further identify opportunities to improve nutrient use efficiencies.