BASF Launches Ampliqan Nitrification Inhibitor in China to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency
15 September 2026, Shanghai, China: BASF Agricultural Solutions has launched Ampliqan®, a new nitrification inhibitor for the fertilizer industry in China, aimed at improving nitrogen use efficiency and supporting climate-smart agricultural practices.
The product is designed to help reduce nitrogen losses through nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions while offering fertilizer manufacturers an additional way to differentiate their products and create value for farmers.
Nitrogen is critical for crop growth, yield and quality, but a significant share of applied nitrogen is not taken up by crops. BASF estimates that, on average, only around 50% of applied nitrogen is absorbed by plants, with the remainder potentially lost to the atmosphere as ammonia or nitrous oxide, or to water through nitrate leaching.
These losses can reduce fertilizer efficiency and crop yield potential while contributing to environmental challenges including climate warming, acidification, eutrophication and smog.
BASF targets nitrogen losses with new inhibitor
Ampliqan® is based on the active ingredient DMPSA-K2, which inhibits the activity of nitrifying bacteria and slows the conversion of ammonium into nitrate. By keeping ammonium available for longer, the technology is intended to help retain nitrogen in the crop root zone and make it available to plants when required.
According to BASF, maintaining nitrogen in ammonium form can also support the availability of soil micronutrients and phosphate, potentially contributing to improved crop quality.
Markus Schmid, Director and Head of Key Account Management, Nitrogen Management, BASF Agricultural Solutions, said the product is intended to help fertilizer manufacturers and farmers pursue improved yields while reducing nitrogen-related environmental losses.
“With Ampliqan®, BASF reinforces its commitment to climate-smart agriculture and to supporting farmers in improving profitability,” Schmid said. “This plug-and-play solution helps the fertilizer industry and farmers pursue better yields while addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Compatible with major fertilizer products
BASF said Ampliqan® has been developed with handling, storage and application flexibility in mind. Its ready-to-use formulation offers storage stability across a broad temperature range and is compatible with major nitrogen fertilizer types.
These include urea, ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers, DAP, MAP, NPK fertilizers and liquid fertilizers.
The inhibitor can be applied at fertilizer production facilities or across the supply chain using standard batch and continuous blending equipment. BASF said the extended shelf life of treated fertilizers can provide manufacturers and farmers with greater flexibility in fertilizer management and application.
Jackson Wang, Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions Greater China, said the launch strengthens the company’s nitrogen management portfolio and its focus on working with fertilizer manufacturers in China.
“The launch of Ampliqan® further strengthens BASF’s nitrogen management portfolio and underscores our commitment to supporting fertilizer manufacturers in China,” Wang said. “As the industry continues to evolve, we are proud to be a trusted innovation partner helping customers enhance product performance, create differentiated value, and advance their green transformation.”
The launch adds another nitrogen-management technology to BASF’s portfolio as fertilizer manufacturers and farmers seek ways to improve nutrient efficiency while reducing the environmental footprint associated with nitrogen fertilizer use.
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