Bio-Based production of Nitric Acid from anaerobic digestate

2b-NITRICA is a University of Verona’s Joint Research project co-funded by Future Concimi Manure Srl (FCM), an Italian producer of fertilizers and soil improvers derived from digestate.

In this project, LabICAB has developed an innovative, proprietary technology at pilot-scale to produce bio-based nitric acid from anaerobic digestate. This versatile acid is suitable for various applications, including N-fertilizers production like ammonium nitrate. The technology combines a low-energy bioprocess with compact and fast-kinetic physicochemical processes requiring no catalysts or external chemicals for pH control. The 2b-Nitrica pilot plant was installed at FCM’s anaerobic digestion plant to demonstrate feasibility and provide information on the technical requirements necessary for scaling up the process.