Press Releases
Rivertop Renewables Wins $150,000 R&D Grant from State of Montana
Funding will support development of polymer for controlled release of fertilizer nutrients
(July 1, 2009) MISSOULA, Mt. – Rivertop Renewables announced it has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce. The funding is intended to help further the development of polymers for controlled release of fertilizer nutrients.
Currently, as much as 70 percent of fertilizer nutrients go unutilized, running-off the field, draining past plant roots and polluting the water. By combining its polymer with conventional fertilizer components Rivertop’s application will be released into the soil more slowly for better and thorough absorption by the roots.
“Rivertop’s polymer application has the potential to make fertilizer use more cost effective and reduce water pollution caused by fertilizer run-off,” said Dr. Tyler N. Smith, Rivertop’s director of Research and Development who leads the Company’s work on this project. “Much like drip irrigation, our application will slowly release nutrients for more efficient consumption.”
Glucaric acid, also known as saccharic acid, will serve as a key biodegradable polymer component. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified glucaric acid as one of the top 12 value-added chemicals derived from renewable plant sugars.
This is the first of a series of polymers Rivertop will develop from glucaric acid into useful, sustainable products using technology developed at the University of Montana and under exclusive license to Rivertop.
About Rivertop Renewables
Based in Missoula, Montana, Rivertop Renewables is innovating a new category of
science – “Progressive Chemistry.” Merging proven science with renewable resources,
Rivertop Renewables is creating an abundant and economical supply of sustainable
and safe chemicals and bioproducts. Rivertop products are biodegradable and
built from renewable plant sugars. More information is available at the website
www.rivertop.com.