MERI-NEWS – Our mission
MERI‑NEWS advances sustainable shipping by turning ship emissions and waste streams into valuable products and new business opportunities. The project explores innovative technologies and business models that enable the capture and utilisation of SOx, NOx and organic waste-based biogas to produce fertilizers, fuels and graphite, which is one of the most critical battery materials.
Technical development focuses on novel synthesis routes, including the conversion of captured NOx into urea for fertilizers using new catalytic processes, and the production of methanol and graphite from waste‑based biogas. These approaches are designed for shipping‑scale and dynamic operating conditions. In parallel, MERI‑NEWS evaluates port infrastructure needs, value chains and market potential, supported by an expert network on ship‑related business models.
MERI-NEWS scope and relation of work packages.
By combining experimental technology development with business and market analysis, MERI‑NEWS aims to strengthen resource efficiency, self‑sufficiency and competitiveness in Finland and Europe, while supporting the transition towards more sustainable shipping and agricultural practices.
The project is funded by Business Finland (project numbers 3007/31/2025 & 3917/31/2025), research partners VTT & Luke, company partners Valio, Meyer Turku, NESA, Rotoboost, Green North Energy, Langh Tech and FC Fertilizing. The project duration is 01.01.2026-31.12.2028.
Work Packages
The MERI-NEWS project consists of 7 work packages. Coordinator of the project is VTT, Finland.
WP1 Ship Business Model Forum (lead VTT)
WP1 identifies and evaluates new business models for utilising ship emissions through an expert forum and a series of workshops. The work assesses technological maturity, IP needs, market potential and regulatory aspects, and culminates in a New Business Models Map that outlines viable pathways, scaling potential and follow up strategies beyond the project.
WP2 NOx and SOx utilisation (lead VTT)
WP2 evaluates the full value chain from combined NOx and SOx capture in ship exhausts to the synthesis of nitrogen fertilizer materials. The work focuses on selecting and developing scrubbing technologies and photo and electrocatalytic synthesis routes for urea, or alternatively for ammonia or nitrates. The product quality is studied, and the need for further purification assessed to meet fertilizer standards.
WP3 Urea as fertilizer (lead Luke)
WP3 assesses the suitability of urea based fertilizers for northern agricultural conditions through literature review, controlled pot experiments, and multi year field trials. The work compares yield performance and nitrogen use efficiency with conventional fertilization and evaluates impacts on N₂O and NH₃ emissions to support environmentally sustainable fertilization strategies.
Field experiment of a previous project of Luke. Photographer: Kirsi Järvenranta.
WP4 Direct methanol synthesis from waste-based CO2 and H2 (lead VTT)
WP4 develops catalyst and reactor technologies for the direct conversion of CO₂ and hydrogen into methanol, focusing on copper based catalysts suitable for intensified reactors. The work includes laboratory scale performance testing and systematic analysis of methanol quality and impurities to support emerging specifications for marine methanol.
WP5 Biomethane splitting (lead VTT)
WP5 evaluates biogas production from ship waste and the splitting of biomethane into hydrogen and carbon, combining literature analysis, stakeholder interviews and targeted experiments to assess carbon quality and suitability for graphite production.
WP6 Techno-economic assessment (lead VTT)
WP6 develops and compares integrated process concepts from ship based feedstocks to final products, with a focus on NOx to fertilizers pathways. The work covers process design, mass and energy balances, and techno economic assessment of investment, operating and logistics costs, supporting business potential evaluation and roadmap development in collaboration with industrial partners.
WP7 Management, collaboration and dissemination (lead VTT)
WP7 ensures effective project coordination, legal and financial management, partner collaboration and reporting in line with Business Finland requirements. It also leads dissemination activities, including the project website, communications, scientific publications and a final public seminar, to maximise the visibility and impact of project results.