Reducing ammonia emissions from wet litter is a major sustainability challenge in broiler production, with direct implications for animal welfare, working conditions, and environmental performance. ImproBed is an innovative litter solution specifically designed to mitigate ammonia emissions by lowering the pH value of the litter and inhibiting microbial activity.

The pelleted mixture of straw and sodium bisulfate enables long-term acidification, preventing the conversion of uric acid into gaseous ammonia and binding nitrogen in the form of ammonium sulfate. This results in a significant reduction of ammonia emissions, improved barn air quality, and measurable benefits for foot pad health and overall animal welfare.

In addition to its environmental effects, ImproBed supports more efficient nutrient management, as nitrogen and sulfur are retained in the litter and can be utilized at the end of the production cycle as fertilizer or in biogas plants. The product complements conventional litter and management strategies and has been validated through research trials and on-farm measurements. There are higher costs than conventional litter without additives, depending on dosage and flock size (approx. €200–300 per barn per cycle).

By combining emission reduction, animal welfare improvements, and practical applicability, ImproBed represents a viable and scalable good practice for more sustainable broiler production systems.