Techno-economic analysis of manufacturing controlled release nitrogen fertilizers and their farm-level economic value

Abstract

This techno-economic analysis evaluates the manufacturing feasibility and farm-level economic viability of a biodegradable, polycaprolactone (PCL)-coated controlled release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF). Production was modelled in a 5-tonne batch spray coating system, with process economics assessed via net present value (NPV), discounted payback period (DPBP), internal rate of return (IRR), and breakeven selling price (BEP). All monetary figures are presented in Australian 2025 dollars, with prices expressed as percentage premiums relative to conventional urea to account for urea price volatility. Under baseline assumptions, the manufacturing BEP corresponds to a 31.3 % premium over conventiona..