Projects
COLDry Fertiliser Project
A cleaner future for farming. Starting in Bacchus Marsh.
What is the COLDry Fertiliser Project?
A smarter fertiliser made locally, with less cost and less impact.
The COLDry Fertiliser Project is a local manufacturing initiative bringing together innovation, agriculture, and environmental care. A collaboration between Environmental Clean Technologies (ECT) and ESG Agriculture under the Zero Quest joint venture, the project is building a zero-emission fertiliser plant at Bacchus Marsh to produce a next-generation fertiliser that’s more effective, more affordable, and better for our soil and waterways.
Farmers across Australia face the twin challenge of rising fertiliser costs and declining soil health. The COLDry Fertiliser Project directly addresses this by producing a locally made, lignite-based nitrogen fertiliser using a zero-emission process. The product performs like traditional fertiliser, but costs less and dramatically reduces environmental impact.
Our demonstration-scale plant is being upgraded to produce up to 50,000 tonnes per year, supporting local jobs, reducing dependence on imports, and delivering a cleaner, more secure fertiliser supply for Victoria and beyond.
What Makes This Project Special?
A world-first fertiliser plant, right here in Bacchus Marsh.
The COLDry Fertiliser process is zero-emission. There are emissions in the supply chain. For example, the urea is sourced from conventional manufacturers, which include CO2 emissions in their manufacturing. Our COLDry Fertiliser process halves the use of urea in agriculture, therefore halving the emissions intensity of urea use.
The COLDry process avoids combustion, runs at low temperatures utilising waste heat, and produces no harmful emissions. Located in an established industrial zone, the site has minimal impact and will generate new economic activity without excessive noise.
The Product
A smarter fertiliser: Lower cost, better for your soil, and just as effective.
Our fertiliser blends organic lignite with nitrogen, creating a slow-release product that boosts soil health and saves farmers money.
Unlike conventional urea, this product reduces waste by locking nitrogen in the soil for longer. It’s easy to apply using standard equipment and enhances both yield and soil condition. With trials underway in cotton and wheat fields, we’re working with farmers to prove its value—paddock by paddock.
Environment
Cleaner fertiliser. Healthier soil. Safer waterways.
This product helps address the problem of nitrogen runoff and soil degradation—two of the biggest environmental challenges in agriculture.
It improves nitrogen uptake and slashes leaching and emissions, reducing the risk of algal blooms in waterways and cutting greenhouse gases. It also builds soil carbon and adds beneficial minerals, helping farms transition toward more regenerative practices.
