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AbsorbentTechnology

2006 Fertilizer Outlook & Technology Conference

Tampa, FL – November 3

Sanford R. Simon

Director Fertilizer Regulatory Affairs

Spectrum Brands, Inc.

St. Louis, MO USA

On behalf of NFT Industries, LLC

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2006 Fertilizer Outlook & Technology Conference

N

N

N

N

N

N

NN

N NN

N NN

N

N loss fromvolatilization and

denitrification

N loss fromleaching

•EFFICIENCY

•YIELD

• ENVIRONMENT

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Absorbed Fertilizer – Nurea®

Research started in January 2000 at ACT

Developed absorption w/blockers technology

Granular nutrient delivery system

Target: Extended release fertilizer for homeowner market

Optimize nutrient availability

Efficient release of nutrients

Minimize loss to the environment

Economically viable for Agricultural

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NUREA® HISTORYConcept

•Identify absorbent materials w/ greatest capacityfor absorption.

•Identify materials to delay the release of theabsorbed nutrients.

•Identify nitrogen source.

Paradigm shift in the way we look at extended release, orenhanced-efficiency fertilizers

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NUREA® TECHNOLOGY

Perlite

SEM Raw Perlite

Wayne Robarge, NC State 2001

Natural volcanic glass

(hydrated obsidian) - Distinctiveconcentric cracks and a relativelyhigh water content.

Capacity to absorb 20x itsown weight

Determineabsorbent material

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NUREA® TECHNOLOGYIdentify mechanism to delay release

Assessed synthetic and natural hydrogelsEvaluated natural starches:

Wheat, Potato, Corn, Rice.

Determine nitrogen source

Must be in a fluid stateMolten urea provided best opportunity for success

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NUREA® TECHNOLOGY

Develop process to get urea-starch matrix into perlite

Determine Absorption Process

Urea / StarchSlurry

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NUREA® TECHNOLOGY

• Developed steamprocess to removeouter shellexposing innerfissures.

• Steam collapseswhen the perlite isbrought in contactwith urea solutionforming a vacuum.

Exfoliated Perlite

SEM Exfoliated PerliteWayne Robarge, NC State 2001

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MixTank

Heated Mixer

UreaSolution

from reactoror melt

HydrogelSteamedPerlite

GranulationDrum

FluidBed

Cooler

Multiple Particle Sizes

Custom Specifications

Flexible Technology

Other Nutrient sourcematerials or additives

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Occluded Slow Release

= Urea + Nitamin™ Matrix

= Natural Polymer

= Perlite

U

CS

• Nutrient matrix is introducedinto popped Perlite– Absorbed in Cavities

• Micro Particles of PerliteAgglomerated into One1. Outer Area = Quick Release2. Inner Area = Extended Release

N

KPN

N

NN

K

KPN

NP

N

NK P

K

NKP

KPN

N K

K P NN

N

K

NK

PN

NNKN

N

NKK

NN

P

N PN

K

KPN

K

PN

N

N

KN

KPN

N

PK

N

P

NK

PN

N

KP

K

K

NP

K

N KN

NN

NN

N

N

K

K

K

P

PN

N

K

KK

N

N

N

P

P

K

MagnifiedPopped Perlite

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NUREA®As Manufactured

Formation of Gelwhen

exposed to water

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Absorption Determination - IFDC•Quantify how well pores are filled in Nurea process

•Accomplished by calculating POROSITY•Calculate porosity before and after absorption process

Porosity, % = (Td – Ad / Td ) X 100

Where Td = true density, g/cm3, and Ad = apparent density, g/cm3

Porosity: A measurement of the pore space within a granule

Apparent Density only accounts for space inside the granuleTrue Density – sample ground < 300 microns to collapse anyvoids, so porosity is equal to 0%.

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Absorption Determination - IFDC

0%

Porosity Scale: % of pore volume filled = (b-a / b) X 100

Using the percent of each component in formula (by analysis),the amount of N in the pore volume can be determined.

The % absorbed N / Total N of product = % N absorbedPilot plant range = 30 % 50 % absorbed N

Final productporosity (a)

Initial porosity ofunabsorbedproduct (b)

100%

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Research & DevelopmentSoil Incubation

•300 g potting soil (40% moisture)

•5 g Nurea (2.8-3.35 mm) in wire mesh

•Add 150 g potting soil

•Mist with 4 g DI water

•Measure N remaining after 9, 24, 36 hours

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100

58.5

36.4

18.0

100

52.6

40.3

17.4

100

39.3

22.1

11.8

100

51.7

34.4

16.3

100

52.6

34.7

16.3

100

50.5

35.5

19.9

100

51.4

28.3

17.8

100

39.8

24.3

15.3

100

00

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75

TIME (HOURS)

NIT

RO

GE

NR

ETA

INE

D(%

)

PRODUCT A PRODUCT B PRODUCT C PRODUCT D PRODUCT E PRODUCT F PRODUCT H PRODUCT I GRANULAR UREA

ACT Soil Incubation Test Release Curves

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Research & DevelopmentFlorida: N – 500 Method

•3 g sample in chromatographycolumn

•250 ml of DI water

•Circulate water through samplefor 2 hours using proportioningpump

•Analyze extract for N

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100

49.7

38.2

31.7

26.2

18.0

100

52.2

36.6

20.216.8

10.6

100

54.7

27.125.2

16.1

7.9

100

61.4

39.4

18.5

12.8 11.5

100

59.6

32.3

19.816.4

5.9

100

70.1

32.3

16.313.5

6.9

100

71.3

45.5

38.8

23.5

13.0

100

00

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

TIME (MINUTES)

NIT

RO

GEN

RE

TAIN

ED

(%)

PRODUCT A PRODUCT B PRODUCT C PRODUCT D PRODUCT E PRODUCT F PRODUCT H UREA

METHOD N-500 COLUMN TEST RELEASE CURVES

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Environmental Fate – Sartain 2004

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180N

LEA

CH

ED

(mg

)

AS N140

NPK140

U215

NPK280

U280

U165

N215

N280

NPK215

UF CTL

NITROGEN SOURCES

TOTAL N LEACHED

Greenhouse temperature at 90 – 92 oF.Zero P found in leachate; K followed N sources.

Ureaform

N = Nurea NPK = Nurea NPK

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NUREA™ research on Turf I2001 University of Arkansas (Dr. James A. Robbins), Little Rock, AR“Fertilizer Rate Study – Nurea Trials for Turf Grass”2001 University of Arkansas (Dr. James A. Robbins), Little Rock, AR“Fertilizer Burn Study – Nurea Trials for Turf Grass”2001 Auburn University (Dr. Elizabeth Guertal), Auburn, AL“Nurea Burn Study”2001 Auburn University (Dr. Elizabeth Guertal), Auburn, AL“Nurea Turfgrass Color Rating Study”2001 University of Wisconsin-Madison (Dr. Wayne R. Kussow), Madison, WI“Performance of Experimental Nitrogen Sources [Nurea] on Kentucky Bluegrass”2001 University of Wisconsin-Madison (Dr. Wayne R. Kussow), Madison, WI“Performance of Experimental Nitrogen Sources [Nurea] on Kentucky Bluegrass”2001 Michigan State University (Dr. Kevin W. Frank), Lansing, MI“Nurea Trials – Color and Quality”2001University of Arkansas (Dr. Douglas Karcher), Fayetteville, AR“Nurea Fertility Trials”2001North Carolina State University (Dr. Charles Peacock), NC“Nurea Fertility Trials”

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NUREA® research on Turf II2003 The University of Wisconsin (Dr. Wayne R. Kussow), Madison, WI“Tolerance Testing – Assessment of Safety at 2.0 to 6.0 lbs. N/1,000 sq. ft. on KentuckyBluegrass/Ryegrass”2003 The Pennsylvania State University (Dr. Max Schlossberg), University Park, PA “NitrogenSource and Rate Evaluation on Bentgrass Fairway”2003 The University of Georgia (Dr. Clint Waltz), Griffin, GA “Tolerance Testing – Assessment ofSafety at 2.0 to 6.0 lbs. N/1,000 sq. ft. on Tall Fescue”2003 Auburn University (Dr. Elizabeth A. Guertal), Auburn, AL “Field Lysimeter and Leaching ofNurea N source”2003 Michigan State University (Dr. Kevin Frank), East Lansing, MI “Nitrogen Source and RateEvaluation on Kentucky Bluegrass/Ryegrass Turf”2003 Texas A&M University (Dr. James A. McAfee), Dallas, TX “Nitrogen Source and RateEvaluation on Bermudagrass Turf”2003 TrueGreen ChemLawn (Dr. Mark Prinster), Douglasville, GA “Nitrogen Source and RateEvaluation on Tall Fescue and Bermuda Turf”2003 University of Florida (Dr. John Cisar), Ft. Lauderdale, FL “Nitrogen Source and RateEvaluation on St. Augustine Turf”2003 University of Florida (Dr. Jerry B. Sartain), Gainesville, FL “Growth Response Study”2003 North Carolina State University (Dr. Charles Peacock & Wayne Robarge), Raleigh, NC “FieldVolatilization/Leaching Studies”

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AAPFCO Definitions

T – 56 Absorbent - A material having the capacity to takeinto its mass a second substance.

T – 57 Hydrogel – A colloidal gel in which water is thedispersion medium.

T – 58 Absorbed Fertilizer – A fertilizer that has been takeninto an absorbent material.

Rule 3 b: …(3) occluded slow release, where fertilizers orfertilizer materials are mixed with waxes, resins,or otherinert materials and formed into particles...

AAPFCO

Absorbent Technology

Search for other ways to enhance release rate…

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Nitamin™

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What is Nitamin™ 30L?Patented urea-based polymer

Product Form – Liquid

30% N water-soluble liquid30-40 % free urea25-30 % mono substituted ureas5-10 % di/tri substituted ureas20-30 % cyclic material

AAPFCO N-33 Triazone, N-35 Urea-Triazone Solution

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ureaform

urea

di-triazone

triazone

Nitamin 30L Structural Composition

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The Nitamin AdvantageAdvantages are soil and climate dependent

Consistent with other enhanced-efficiency fertilizers

Fewer applications required

Lower N application rates

Stays in root zone

Reduced N leaching

Improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)

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Trial results confirm efficacy

Yield improvements for some crops at reduced N rate

Nitrogen rates reduced by 25-30% and maintain yields

Single application at planting sufficient for some crops

Nurea-Nitamin Granular – Bulk Density 44-46 lb/Ft3Storage & handling characteristics similar to urea

Expectations for Nitamin™

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Corn

OnionsPotatoes

Snap Beans

Tomatoes

ApplesApples

Peppers

Onions

Peppers

Peppers

Cabbage

Cantaloupe

Carrots

Citrus

Citrus

CornCorn

Corn

Corn

CornCorn

CornCorn

Corn

Corn

Corn

Corn

Cotton

Cotton

Cotton

Cucumbers

Cucumbers

Grapes

OnionsOnions

Onions

Onions

Ornamental

Pasture

Pasture

Pasture

PotatoesPotatoes

Potatoes

PotatoesPotatoes

Snap Beans

Snap Beans

Sugarcane

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn

Sweet Potatoes

Tobacco

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Watermelon

CornWheat

Wheat

Wheat

Wheat

Wheat

Wheat

Turf

TurfTurf

Turf

Turf

Turf

Turf

Turf

TurfWheat

Nitamin 30L and Nitamin Granular 2005 US Trials

Blue = Replicated research trials Red = Grower trial

Pasture

Corn

Cranberries

Carrots

Potatoes

28Dr. Doug Sanders, NC State University, Asheville, NC 2005

Grower Standard

200 lb N - AN Drip over 12 wk

Nitamin Granular 30%

175 lb N - Preplant

Nitamin Granular - Tomatoes

Photos taken after 2 harvests. 3rd harvest taken from plotstreated with Nitamin Granular.

29Dr. Doug Sanders, NC State University, Fletcher, NC 2005

Bell Peppers – 50 DAP

Nitamin 30L vs. Grower Standard

From right to left: 250 lbs N from Nitamin 30L, middlerow 175 lb. N from Nitamin 30L, left row is 200 lb. Ngrower standard. No discernable growth differences.

Missing plants due to fertilizer burn in N/N 30%250 lb. N treatment. Injury did not occur uniformlyin all plots.

N/N 30% granular treatments from right to left – 250lb. N, 175 lb. N and 125 lb. N.All three treatments looked similar.

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Turf – Nitamin® Improves ToleranceConfidential

Leaching Study at Auburn University

• Lysimeter Construction: Nalgene lined, 70 gal. container

• Filled with Marvyn loamy sand soil

• Tifway bermudagrass planted in and around them.

Dr. Elizabeth Guertal, 2005

• Lysimeters drained to individual 5 gallon receivers

• Leachate collected at least once a week.

N rate of 3 lbs. N / M – All treatments

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Cumulative Nitrate Leached

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

27-Jun 7-Jul 17-Jul 27-Jul 6-Aug 16-Aug 26-Aug

date of sampling

cum

ulat

ive

nitr

ate

(ug)

Nurea-Nitamin10%

Nurea-Nitamin30%

Nurea

Nitamin 30L

Urea

UAN

Dr. Elizabeth Guertal, Auburn University, 20057 – Week Trial

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0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

27-Jun 7-Jul 17-Jul 27-Jul 6-Aug 16-Aug 26-Aug

date of sampling

cum

ula

tive

amm

oniu

m(u

g)

Nurea-Nitamin10%

Nurea-Nitamin30%

Nurea

Nitamin 30L

Urea

UAN

Dr. Elizabeth Guertal, Auburn University, 2005

Cumulative Ammonium Leached

7 – Week Trial

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Turf – Nitamin® Improves Tolerance

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Urea Nurea Nurea +10%

Nitamin

Nurea +20%

Nitamin

Nurea +30%

Nitamin

Tu

rfIn

jury

Fertilizer Tolerance of Kentucky Bluegrass6 lb N/M Rated 2 DAT

Ratings (0-9): w/ 0 = no injury; 1 = slight tip burn; 5 = tip and whole leaf burn; 9 = all blades dead

Path Consulting, Rydal, Georgia, 2005

Confidential

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• Reduced Nitrogen loss to the environment

• Equivalent and/or improved yields with less N applied

• Ability to apply full Nitrogen loading in one application

• Economically viable for use in row crop Agriculture

AgriculturePro T & O

Specialty

EnhancedEnhanced--Efficiency FertilizersEfficiency Fertilizers

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Thank You for your attention