Gross-Wen Tech Partners with KENT, ISU to Reduce Nutrients and Produce Renewable Fertilizer Using Algae

MUSCATINE, Iowa (May 26, 2022) -- Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT) is teaming up with KENT Corporation and Iowa State University (ISU) on a groundbreaking pilot using algae as a sustainable way to clean and remediate water that has gone through a municipal or industrial process.

“By participating in this pilot, we will examine the effectiveness, energy efficiency, and cost for treating process wastewater with GWT’s technology,” said Dr. Josh Humphreys, KENT Enterprise Innovation Manager. “We look forward to evaluating its potential long-term value here at KENT and for the greater markets our family business serves.”

The long-term goal of the pilot is to offer progress toward creating a circular ecosystem redepositing fertilizers back to growers’ fields to close the loop. The collaboration is a potential way to help farmers and households by offering a non-chemical alternative to yard fertilization.

“It is clear KENT and its subsidiary company, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), is committed to being a leader in developing and deploying sustainable solutions,” said Dr. Martin Gross, President of GWT. “GWT is excited to work in collaboration with other leaders who want to progress the way wastewater is cleaned.”

GWT uses a patented revolving algal-biofilm treatment technology, which grows algae attached to vertically-oriented belts. The algae rotate into wastewater, where it consumes commonly-found nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, while using sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air to rapidly grow. The nitrogen and phosphorus-rich algae is then harvested and can be used to create slow-release fertilizers, bioplastics, and biofuels.

KENT’s Enterprise Innovation team, which is dedicated to identifying innovative ideas and partnerships to encourage meaningful long-term growth, will use a portion of its Muscatine headquarters lawn to test GWT’s algae-based fertilizer derived from an earlier point in the pilot. The harvest algae will then be sent to ISU to test the nutrient amounts and continue to run small trials on turfgrass to examine the efficacy of the GPC product as a fertilizer.​​​​​​​

About Gross-Wen Technologies

Gross-Wen Technologies is a leading algae-based wastewater treatment technology company based in Slater Iowa. Gross-Wen’s patented algae-based wastewater treatment solution, called the revolving algal biofilm system (RAB) is based on technology developed at Iowa State University.  The company was founded by Dr. Martin Gross and Dr. Zhiyou Wen.

About KENT Corporation

From Field to Family™ KENT is helping a growing world do more through the manufacture of food, beverage and ingredients, agriculture, and pet care products. KENT is led by third-generation family member Gage A. Kent. The KENT family of companies serves customers around the world and employs 2,000 people.