CBAM Fertilizer Calculator
Ammonia Production Inputs (per tonne)
Emissions Breakdown (tCO2e per tonne product):
These calculations are indicative. Official compliance reporting requires production-specific emissions data and detailed tracking methodologies.
EU CBAM: From January 2026, importers need CBAM certificates based on verified embedded emissions (Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2023/1773).
UK CBAM: Starting January 2027, similar requirements will apply for UK imports.
Decerna provides compliant emissions calculations, quarterly reporting support, and training for both EU and UK CBAM requirements.
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Understanding CBAM for Fertilisers
The fertiliser sector represents one of the most complex areas under CBAM due to its multiple production pathways and greenhouse gases. From ammonia production through to final blended fertilisers, accurate emissions calculations must account for both CO2 and N2O emissions, as well as the emissions embedded in precursor materials.
Production Chains and Emissions Sources
Fertiliser emissions stem from several interconnected production processes:
- Ammonia Production (CO2)
- Natural gas reforming (~2.0 tCO2/t ammonia)
- Coal gasification (~3.5 tCO2/t ammonia)
- Nitric Acid Production (N2O, CO2)
- N2O emissions (~0.2-2.0 tN2O/t nitric acid)
- Process CO2 emissions
- Urea Production
- Process emissions minus CO2 used from ammonia production
- Mixed/Blended Fertilisers
- Emissions from precursors
- Additional processing emissions
Special Consideration: N2O Emissions
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 265, meaning each tonne of N2O emissions equals 265 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This makes N2O abatement in nitric acid production particularly important.
Mathematical Basis
The emissions calculations follow these formulas:
For Ammonia:
Ammonia Emissions = Process Emissions + Energy Emissions - CO<sub>2</sub> Transfer<br><br>Where:<br>Process Emissions = Natural Gas Input × 1.02<br>Energy Emissions = Fuel Consumption × Relevant Emission Factor<br>CO<sub>2</sub> Transfer = CO<sub>2</sub> used in urea production (if applicable)For Nitric Acid:
Total Emissions = CO<sub>2</sub>e from N<sub>2</sub>O + Direct CO<sub>2</sub><br><br>Where:<br>CO2e from N<sub>2</sub>O = N<sub>2</sub>O emissions × 265 (GWP factor)<br>N2O emissions = Production Volume × Emission Factor<br>Emission Factor varies by abatement technology:<br>- No abatement: ~6 kgN2O/t HNO<sub>3</sub><br>- Secondary abatement: ~2.5 kgN<sub>2</sub>O/t HNO<sub>3</sub><br>- Tertiary abatement: ~0.5 kgN<sub>2</sub>O/t HNO<sub>3</sub>For Urea:
Total Emissions = Ammonia Emissions + Process Emissions - CO<sub>2</sub> Uptake<br><br>Where:<br>CO<sub>2</sub> Uptake = 0.733 × Urea Production<br>(based on stoichiometric ratio: 0.733 tCO<sub>2</sub>/t urea)For Mixed Fertilisers:
Total Emissions = Σ(Precursor Content × Precursor Emissions) + <br> Process Emissions<br><br>Where:<br>Precursor Content = Share of N from each source<br>(ammonium, nitrate, urea)<br>Process Emissions = Energy use for granulation/blendingData sources:
- Process emissions factors: EU ETS benchmarking data
- N2O emission factors: IPCC Guidelines
- Energy consumption: IEA data
- GWP values: IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
- Production ratios: EU Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs)