URCA

Sustainable Production of Urea from CO₂, Nitrogen Compounds, Water, and Solar Energy

Urea production relies on highly energy-intensive processes with a significant environmental impact, involving a high consumption of fossil energy. Within this frame, URCA is aiming to pioneer a breakthrough in sustainable chemistry: producing urea using sunlight, promoting a sustainable and circular economy.

To this purpose, the project will promote the design and development of an advanced photocatalytic system, through the collaboration between the University of Trieste and ENPHOS. Photocatalytic nanomaterials will be developed to directly convert CO₂, nitrogen compounds, and water into urea and molecular oxygen, operating at low energy costs and integrating the process into a scalable prototype device.

Start date: 01 March 2026

End date: 28 February 2028

Role: Scientific coordinator

Partners: Enphos S.R.L.