For the completion of his master's program Automotive Engineering Mobility Management at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Daniel took advantage of the BRIDGES German-Brazilian Mobility Program. His two-and-a-half-month research stay in Florianópolis focused on the economic potential of decenttralized green fertilizer production via thte hydrogen-ammonia route.
"Economic potential of decentralized green fertilizer production in Brazil"
The research address a topic of growing global importance; the utilization of available sustainable resources as an effort to reach self-sufficiency. Brazil, despite having outstanding conditions for renewable energy generation, still remains highly dependent on fertilizer imports from countries such as China and Russia. Meanwhile their domestic production capacities have stagnated in recent years. These factors make Brazil an ideal environment for exploring sustainable alternatives for production and supply.
The project Daniel conducted investigated how decentralized production systems could contribute to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. The concept focuses on producing green fertilizers directly in agricultural regions using renewable energy sources, supporting the Brazilian government's strategy of reindustrialization through decarbonization.
During his stay, the Daniel first participated in the Solar World Congress 2025 and the BRIDGES Network Conference in Fortaleza before continuing the research phase in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. At the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), and particularly within the Fotovoltaica Institute, he partook in valuable exchanges with researchers working in photovoltaics, second-life batteries, hydrogen technologies, and ammonia production which provided important interdisciplinary insights for the thesis work.
Beyond the academic experience, Daniel shared that the stay also allowed him to immerse himself in the Brazilian culture and everyday life. Between research activities, the vibrant atmosphere of Florianópolis, Brazilian cuisine, and local traditions made the experience especially memorable and enriching.
Cantauw was able to present his research findings during an online workshop which took place on the 16th of December 2025. The workshop created an opportunity for further discussion and knowledge exchange within the BRIDGES network and can be accessed through the BRIDGES website in the blog publication about the workshop.
This stay once again highlights the value of international collaboration and interdisciplinary research in addressing global sustainability challenges while enabling students to gain meaningful international experience.