Andromeda Metals and partner Minotaur to research agricultural applications for halloysite nanotubes

Andromeda Metals Ltd (ASX:ADN) and partner Minotaur Exploration Ltd (ASX:MEP) are set to embark on a three-year, $2.4 million research project that evaluates how halloysite nanotubes could be used in fertiliser that better delivers nutrients to agricultural crops. The industrial minerals company and fellow ASX-lister Minotaur will launch the program via their joint research venture, Natural Nanotech. Soil scientists, agronomists and industry partners will all contribute to the study, which is set to kick off this month and was awarded a research grant from the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC), funded by the Australian Government. Natural Nanotech’s upcoming program will utilise halloysite clay sourced from Andromeda and Minotaur’s Great White Kaolin Deposit in South Australia. The program The imminent halloysite study will address what Andromeda describes as a “huge problem” tied to phosphorous stratification in Australian soils. Andromeda managing director James Marsh said: “This is an exciting new application for the high halloysite mineral from the Great White deposit in a sector producing what the world increasingly wants and needs”. Ultimately, the research program will analyse whether halloysite nanoclays from the Great White deposit could be used to create novel fertiliser formulations. Program contributors will create specifically engineered nanocomposite materials that work to more effectively deliver nutrients like phosphorous and zinc in agricultural soil in a bid to boost crop productivity. Both Andromeda and Minotaur will contribute $50,000 every year to partially fund the study, in addition to the halloysite resource from the South Australian project. Professor Ajayan Vinu, an ambassador from the University of Newcastle, will lead the research program. Vinu said: “It is an amazing way of using naturally available nanostructures for the nutrient delivery to cropping soils and a successful outcome from this research may result in a highly efficient fertiliser product which could have a significant impact on the agricultural industry”. Fertiliser use in Australia Andromeda and Minotaur’s research program comes as Australian farmers search for more effective fertilisers to feed their crops. According to the industrial minerals company, Australia spends more than $12 billion annually on fertiliser use in the agricultural sector. However, Andromeda argues the use of phosphorous fertilisers is inefficient, particularly in minimum tillage operations, where roughly three-quarters of applied phosphorus fertilisers are wasted because of barriers in the soil. It’s hoped that formulations using halloysite nanotubes can overcome the stratification barrier, leading to better nutrient delivery and more effective fertilisation. The ASX-lister believes using natural clay nanomaterials could have significant positive environmental impacts and help farmers improve their farming outcomes. In the wake of the research program, Dr Michael Crawford, CEO of the Soil CRC, said the organisation was excited to enter research partnerships with two ASX-listed industry collaborators. “The purpose of Cooperative Research Centres is for industry and research to work together to solve real-world problems and create opportunities. This research will ultimately help farmers to improve their soil management and increase their productivity and profitability.”