For Prelims: Urea, Coal Gasification, CSIR-CIMFR, Technology Developer, Feedstock for Indigenous Urea, Current Urea Import Dependence, Efficiency of Commercial Urea, Project Timeline
For Mains: Waste-to-wealth, Import substitution, Circular economy, Coal gasification, Fertilizer security
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- CSIR-CIMFR developed nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash.
- India imports 30% of its urea and also imports natural gas for domestic production.
- Commercial urea has only 35-40% utilization; 60% is wasted in fields.
- The project was approved by the Ministry of Coal and will be completed in two years.
- CSIR-CIMFR is headquartered in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Why in the news?
CSIR-CIMFR scientists have developed a technology to make nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash. This indigenous urea will be more efficient than commercial urea (which loses 60% in fields) and will reduce India's 30% import dependence on urea and its natural gas feedstock. The Coal Ministry has approved the project, to be completed in two years.
Summary
- CSIR-CIMFR scientists have developed a technology to produce nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash, which was previously considered waste.
- The project, approved by the Ministry of Coal, will be completed in two years and scaled from lab to bench scale (5 kg per batch).
- India imports 30% of its urea directly and also imports natural gas, the feedstock for domestic urea production; this indigenous fertilizer aims to reduce that dependence.
Highlights
New Technology Developed
CSIR-CIMFR scientists have created a process to make nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash.
Reducing Import Dependence
India imports 30% of its urea, and also imports natural gas for domestic urea production; this technology targets both.
Higher Efficiency Fertilizer
The new fertilizer is more efficient than commercial urea, which loses 60% of its nitrogen in fields.
Background
India is a major consumer of urea, but its domestic production relies on imported natural gas as feedstock. The country also directly imports 30% of its urea. Coal gasification, a process to convert coal into syngas, produces ash as a byproduct, which was previously considered waste. CSIR-CIMFR has now found a way to utilize this ash to produce nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Key Analysis and Impact
This innovation addresses two critical issues: waste management from coal gasification and import dependence for fertilizers. The new fertilizer is claimed to be more efficient, with less nitrogen loss in fields compared to commercial urea (only 35-40% utilization). This can reduce the total fertilizer requirement, saving foreign exchange and improving soil health. The project has backing from the Ministry of Coal, indicating strategic importance.
Way Forward
The technology is currently at bench scale (5 kg per batch) and needs to be scaled up for commercial production. The project is expected to be completed in two years. Successful scaling could lead to reduced import bills, lower subsidy burden, and a circular economy model for coal gasification plants.
Commercial vs New Fertilizer
| Feature | Commercial Urea | New Fertilizer (from coal ash) |
|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | Natural gas (imported) | Coal gasification ash (waste) |
| Nitrogen utilization | 35-40% | Higher (more efficient) |
| Waste in fields | 60% | Less |
Jharkhand connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Urea
- A nitrogen-rich fertilizer (46% N) that is the most widely used nitrogenous fertilizer in India. It is water-soluble and provides nitrogen to plants.
- Coal Gasification
- A process that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas) comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. The ash left behind is a byproduct.
- CSIR-CIMFR
- Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), headquartered in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 30% urea import dependence
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Coal
Don't make this mistake!
They may ask about the 'nodal ministry' - it is the Ministry of Coal (not Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers or Ministry of Science and Technology), as the project was approved by the Coal Ministry and originated from a Coal India hackathon.
Write these in mains answers
- Waste-to-wealth, Import substitution, Circular economy, Coal gasification, Fertilizer security
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Coal gasification leaves behind ash that was considered waste. Scientists at CSIR-CIMFR have found a way to turn this ash into a nitrogen-rich fertilizer similar to urea. This new fertilizer works better than regular urea, which loses 60% of its nitrogen before plants can use it. Making this fertilizer in India will reduce the need to import urea from other countries.
- CSIR-CIMFR developed nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash.
- India imports 30% of its urea and also imports natural gas for domestic production.
- Commercial urea has only 35-40% utilization; 60% is wasted in fields.
- The project was approved by the Ministry of Coal and will be completed in two years.
- CSIR-CIMFR is headquartered in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
- Science and Technology: Waste-to-wealth technologies
- Economy: Fertilizer sector and import dependence
Related concepts: Urea, Coal Gasification, CSIR-CIMFR
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which institute developed the technology to produce nitrogen-rich fertilizer from coal gasification ash?
Explanation: CSIR-CIMFR (Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research) developed this technology. CSIR-NCL is a different lab, IIT Kharagpur is an educational institute, and NIFTEM is related to food technology. Hence option B is correct.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the new fertilizer technology:
- 1.The new fertilizer is made from coal gasification ash, which was previously considered waste.
- 2.India currently imports 30% of its urea and also imports natural gas for domestic urea production.
- 3.The new fertilizer is less efficient than commercial urea, with higher nitrogen loss in fields.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the technology uses coal gasification ash. Statement 2 is correct as India imports 30% of its urea and also imports natural gas for domestic production. Statement 3 is incorrect because the new fertilizer is more efficient, with less waste. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
What percentage of commercial urea is wasted in fields,?
Explanation: Of 100 kg of commercial urea applied, only 35-40 kg is utilized by plants, meaning about 60% is wasted. 30% is the import dependence figure, not waste percentage. Hence option D is correct.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the new fertilizer technology developed by CSIR-CIMFR?
Explanation: The technology aims to utilize waste ash to produce indigenous urea, reducing the need for imports of both finished urea and natural gas (feedstock). Export of ash is not the goal, nor is developing new coal or modifying commercial urea. Hence option B is correct.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the new fertilizer technology developed by CSIR-CIMFR?
CSIR-CIMFR has developed a technology to produce nitrogen-rich fertilizer (urea) from coal gasification ash, which was previously considered waste.
2. How much urea does India import?
India imports 30% of its urea directly from foreign countries.
3. What is the efficiency of commercial urea compared to the new fertilizer?
Commercial urea has only 35-40% utilization, with 60% wasted. The new fertilizer is claimed to be more efficient with less waste.
4. Which ministry approved this project?
The Ministry of Coal approved this project, which is expected to be completed in two years.
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- Original7 November 2026 · Read story
