Key Takeaways
- Nitricity Inc. has secured $10 million in project funding from Elemental Impact and Trellis Climate to build a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) organic fertilizer facility in Delhi, California.
- The facility, scheduled for operation in 2026, will increase Nitricity’s production capacity 100-fold, reaching commercial-scale volumes.
- The project is expected to create approximately 20 jobs in Merced County for fabrication, deployment, and maintenance.
- The plant’s entire production capacity is already sold out through 2028 under binding offtake agreements with local organic growers.
- The fertilizer will be made from recycled almond shells and renewable power, supporting low-carbon, organic farming solutions.
Scaling Up Sustainable Fertilizer Production
Nitricity Inc., a California-based startup developing electrified nitrogen fertilizer, has announced $10 million in project funding to build its first full-scale organic fertilizer facility in Delhi, California. This first-of-a-kind (FOAK) plant represents a 100-fold increase in production capacity, marking Nitricity’s transition to commercial-scale volumes.
The facility’s entire production capacity is already secured under binding offtake agreements through 2028, signaling strong demand for locally produced, sustainable fertilizers.
“We are proud to scale up our manufacturing capacity of a product that creates value for California growers—made locally with local ingredients,” said Nicolas Pinkowski, CEO of Nitricity. “In a market where most nitrogen is imported, our solution onshores production to deliver exactly what growers have been asking for: a sustainable, organic alternative that strengthens farmers’ bottom lines and benefits our community and environment.”
The project is expected to create approximately 20 jobs in Merced County, supporting fabrication, deployment, and maintenance.
A Locally Sourced, Low-Carbon Fertilizer
The organic nitrogen fertilizer produced at the facility will be made using recycled almond shells and renewable energy, creating a plant-based, cost-competitive solution that is:
- Pathogen-free and odor-free
- Approved for use in organic farming, registered with OMRI and CDFA OIM
- Designed for irrigation line application
By utilizing local agricultural byproducts, Nitricity’s approach strengthens the region’s circular bioeconomy and aims to produce hundreds of tons of low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer by 2028.
“Nitricity’s facility proves sustainable fertilizer can be produced at scale while providing local economic benefits,” said Danya Hakeem, VP of Portfolio at Elemental Impact.
Elemental Impact’s initial investment in 2022 supported Nitricity’s Fremont facility and successful field trials in California’s Central Valley. With this new funding, Nitricity is positioned to expand operations and meet growing market demand.
Addressing Fertilizer Emissions & Agricultural Sustainability
Traditional fertilizers account for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Nitricity’s technology addresses both production emissions from manufacturing fertilizers and on-field emissions from applying them.
“We’re excited to accelerate the scale-up of this technology and to partner with a company that recognizes the critical role of community engagement in project success,” said Lara Pierpoint, Managing Director of Trellis Climate.
With backing from Elemental Impact and Trellis Climate, the FOAK facility serves as a first step toward reducing emissions in the fertilizer industry while supporting local economic and environmental sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Sustainable Fertilizer Solutions
As Nitricity prepares to launch commercial-scale production, the company continues to focus on expanding its impact in sustainable agriculture. With the Delhi facility set to begin operations in 2026, the company’s long-term goal is to scale up production and advance low-carbon nitrogen solutions to benefit farmers, the environment, and local economies.
