October 21 , 2024
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- A hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are now removed from the atmosphere and converted into fertilizer via the Haber-Bosch process.
- This is adding 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil.
- To compare, biological processes replenish an estimated 100-140 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen every year.
- Engineering by BASF’s Carl Bosch turned Haber’s tabletop setup into an industrial process to produce fertilizer.
- Five years after Haber et al.’s accomplishment, BASF opened its first ammonia factory in 1913.
- The Haber-Bosch method has allowed industries to develop cheap synthetic fertilizers.
- It was a critical component in the sevenfold rise in the world’s food supply during the 20th century.
- A century ago, the average lifespan at birth of an Indian was only 19 years, compared to 67+ years today.

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