ICL introduces revolutionary biodegradable CRF technology eqo.s® for the professional turf market

ICL Growing Solutions introduces a revolutionary biodegradable coating technology for its controlled release fertilizer (CRF) in the peat market: eqo.s® technology. The new nitrogen coating complies with future (EU) fertilizer legislation and will help field managers and greenkeepers increase nutrient use efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining the high quality of their turf fields.

With its patented eqo.s release technology, ICL is taking the initiative in offering a fully biodegradable coating with faster degradation of urea. The innovation will initially be introduced in ICL's premium CRF products: Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus.

CRFs with eqo.s technology ensure optimal turf performance. The innovation has been thoroughly field tested and proven to be as reliable as current coatings, maintaining the high quality of ICL products. The eqo.s release technology demonstrates a consistent and predictable nutrient release pattern and also reduces environmental impact by reducing nutrient loss and increasing nutrient use efficiency. After all nutrients are released, the coating breaks down faster than ever before.

What turf professionals need to know

CRF products with the new eqo.s technology have the same benefits for turf professionals as current CRF products with existing coating technologies, as they both improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and nutrient uptake by the plant.
Moreover:

• Field experiments with eqo.s show a marked reduction in nitrogen leaching, volatilization and denitrification;
• Eqo.s shows improved growth and quality with less fertilizer, because with eqo.s fewer fertilizations per growing cycle are usually sufficient;
• Eqo.s shows the same consistent, reliable release of nutrients for optimal growth.

"Our CRF products are of the highest possible quality and the eqo.s technology works similarly to previous coating technologies, but with some significant improvements," confirms Dr Andy Owen, ICL lnternational Technical Manager Turf & Landscape.

"The application speeds and high-quality results remain, and even the appearance of the product is similar. It's good news for field managers and greenkeepers because their CRF products will deliver the same high performance as before. What makes it revolutionary is that the fully biodegradable eqo.s coating degrades faster and is fully compliant with future fertilizer regulations."

Diffusion of the eqo.s revolution

Although the eqo.s technology will first be introduced in ICL's premium CRF series Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus, ICL is confident that by mid-2026, when the new biodegradability requirements become mandatory in the EU market, the company will be able to provide the biodegradable coatings for all of its turf CRFs. To meet the expected market demand, ICL has

$20 million invested in a new production line for eqo.s release technology at its plant in Heerlen, the Netherlands.

Benefits of CRFs for turf professionals, field managers and greenkeepers

• Controlled-release fertilizers are a precision technology that releases nutrients over an extended period through an innovative coating. The nutrient release curve closely matches the needs of the grass throughout the growing cycle, resulting in a strong, healthy turf that is more resistant to wear and disease.
• Less is more: the use of CRF means a significant reduction in the use of fertilizers because fewer applications per season are needed compared to other forms of nutrition.
• CRFs have environmental benefits compared to conventional fertilizers, as their use enables greenkeepers and field managers to create high-quality turf fields with a significant reduction in nitrogen loss to the environment, soil and groundwater.
• CRFs are part of the sustainable solution to meet future fertilizer targets in accordance with the highest level of (EU) legislation.

For more information, visit icl-growingsolutions.com