Novel polyanionic polymers including families of repeat units, such as maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat units. The polymers are at least tetrapolymers and may be in the acid form or as partial or complete salts. The polymers may be synthesized using free radical initiators in the presence of vanadium compounds. The polymers have a variety of uses, particularly in agricultural contexts.

The invention relates to a method for providing an inorganic coating to ammonium nitrate (AN) based particles, in particular to ammonium nitrate-based particles for use as a fertilizer, as well as to an inorganic coating for ammonium nitrate-based particles per se. The method comprises the steps of: a) applying a liquid concentrated mineral acid with a water content of less than 50 weight %, to the particles, in order to at least solubilize ammonium nitrate at the outer surface of the particles such that an acidified particle grasping layer is obtained, and b) applying a solid mineral alkaline in powder form to the particles of step a) in order to react with the grasping layer of the particles to coat the acidified particle surface; wherein the stoichiometric ratio of solid mineral alkaline in powder form to concentrated mineral acid is equal to or more than 5:1.

The invention relates to a method for providing an inorganic coating to ammonium nitrate (AN) based particles, in particular to ammonium nitrate-based particles for use as a fertilizer, as well as to an inorganic coating for ammonium nitrate-based particles per se. The method comprises the steps of: a) applying a liquid concentrated mineral acid with a water content of less than 50 weight %, to the particles, in order to at least solubilize ammonium nitrate at the outer surface of the particles such that an acidified particle grasping layer is obtained, and b) applying a solid mineral alkaline in powder form to the particles of step a) in order to react with the grasping layer of the particles to coat the acidified particle surface; wherein the stoichiometric ratio of solid mineral alkaline in powder form to concentrated mineral acid is equal to or more than 5:1.

Additives can be added to fertilizers to impart desirable characteristics. For example, a class of additives have been disclosed to stabilize the explosive potential of AN fertilizers are desirable, however, such additives can react with the AN fertilizer during its manufacture or during its storage. This is particularly the case where the additives contain carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, contain water of hydration or water locked within the structure (e.g. within an interlayer substructure). This reaction can be avoided if the additive has a passivation layer substantially covering the surface of the additive. The passivation layer, being substantially non-reactive and substantially insoluble, protects the additive so that the additive keeps its desired properties and the fertilizer keeps its quality. In other aspects, methods of making the fertilizer are provided.

Additives can be added to fertilizers to impart desirable characteristics. For example, a class of additives have been disclosed to stabilize the explosive potential of AN fertilizers are desirable, however, such additives can react with the AN fertilizer during its manufacture or during its storage. This is particularly the case where the additives contain carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, contain water of hydration or water locked within the structure (e.g. within an interlayer substructure). This reaction can be avoided if the additive has a passivation layer substantially covering the surface of the additive. The passivation layer, being substantially non-reactive and substantially insoluble, protects the additive so that the additive keeps its desired properties and the fertilizer keeps its quality. In other aspects, methods of making the fertilizer are provided.

Additives can be added to fertilizers to impart desirable characteristics. For example, a class of additives have been disclosed to stabilize the explosive potential of AN fertilizers are desirable, however, such additives can react with the AN fertilizer during its manufacture or during its storage. This is particularly the case where the additives contain carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, contain water of hydration or water locked within the structure (e.g. within an interlayer substructure). This reaction can be avoided if the additive has a passivation layer substantially covering the surface of the additive. The passivation layer, being substantially non-reactive and substantially insoluble, protects the additive so that the additive keeps its desired properties and the fertilizer keeps its quality. In other aspects, methods of making the fertilizer are provided.

A granular fertilizer or soil conditioner containing at least three layers, a layer (12) having a core media and at least one nitrogen compound, an alkaline layer (16) and an inert barrier layer (14) there between. The fertilizer may be used to replace commercially available chemical or mineral fertilizers.

A granular fertilizer or soil conditioner containing at least three layers, a layer (12) having a core media and at least one nitrogen compound, an alkaline layer (16) and an inert barrier layer (14) there between. The fertilizer may be used to replace commercially available chemical or mineral fertilizers.

A granular fertilizer or soil conditioner (10) containing a bio-based core matrix (12) with at least one nitrogen compound and an inert barrier layer (12) thereon. The fertilizer or soil conditioner may be used to replace commercially available soil conditioners or chemical or mineral fertilizers.

A granular fertilizer or soil conditioner (10) containing a bio-based core matrix (12) with at least one nitrogen compound and an inert barrier layer (12) thereon. The fertilizer or soil conditioner may be used to replace commercially available soil conditioners or chemical or mineral fertilizers.