From Climate Innovation to Intellectual Property: Utility Model Registration for a Sustainable Mineral Fertilizer

Climate Engine is proud to present a success story that demonstrates how research, innovation capacity, and technology transfer support can contribute to the development of protected intellectual property with strong environmental and socio-economic value.

A significant outcome of research and innovation activities supported by Climate Engine is the successful registration of Bulgarian Utility Model No. 5675 U1, entitled “Mineral Fertilizer with Macronutrients from Natural Phosphates, Plant Biomass Ash and Urea.” The utility model was officially published on 15 May 2026.

The registered utility model introduces an environmentally friendly mineral fertilizer composed of natural phosphate, plant biomass ash generated from sunflower husk combustion, and urea. This innovative composition provides essential macro- and micronutrients while supporting the recovery and reuse of industrial by-products in line with circular economy principles.

By valorising biomass ash as a high-value agricultural input, the innovation offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizer production. It contributes to waste reduction, more efficient resource use, and a lower environmental footprint in fertilizer manufacturing.

Climate Engine’s Role in Enabling the Achievement

Climate Engine contributed to this success by strengthening the innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer competencies of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Ekaterina Serafimova, Head of the Virtual Laboratory for Climate Change and Technological Innovations at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (UCTM).

Through Climate Engine capacity-building activities, international networking, innovation-oriented training, and collaboration with European partners, Dr. Serafimova enhanced her ability to translate scientific research into protected intellectual property with practical application potential.

The Climate Engine ecosystem fostered interdisciplinary cooperation, encouraged innovation-driven thinking, and reinforced the importance of intellectual property protection as a strategic step towards future commercialization. The knowledge and experience gained through Climate Engine directly supported the successful realization and protection of this research outcome as a registered utility model.

Outcomes and Impact

This achievement demonstrates how Climate Engine supports the transformation of scientific research into protected innovation with practical sustainability potential.

The main outcomes and impacts include the successful registration of Bulgarian Utility Model No. 5675 U1 and the development of an innovative mineral fertilizer based on natural phosphates, biomass ash, and urea. The solution promotes circular economy principles by transforming industrial biomass ash into a valuable agricultural product, thereby contributing to waste reduction and resource efficiency.

The success also strengthened collaboration between the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy and the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, while increasing institutional capacity for innovation management and intellectual property generation.

Beyond the registration itself, the utility model illustrates how climate-oriented research can lead to sustainable solutions supporting soil improvement, greener agricultural practices, and broader environmental responsibility. It stands as a strong example of Climate Engine’s role in accelerating the journey from scientific knowledge to protected innovation.