The project began in 2019 and the consortium is compounded by 11 entities: Fertiberia (Coordinator), University of Leon, FCC Aqualia and Agrisat (Spain), Novamont and Fondazione iCons (Italy), FKUR KUNSTSTOFF (Germany), Vito and Arcadia (Belgium), AG Futura Technologies (North Macedonia), Instytut Uprawy Nawozenia i Gleboznawstwa (Poland).
The project mapped biowastes in 8 European countries, analyzing samples to identify suitable sources and refine a logistic model. Five biobased materials were selected as nutrient sources for fertilizer production (among 150 candidates). Nutrient recovery processes were validated, producing P-precipitated salt from ashes, and eight biobased fertilizers were developed and optimized at Fertiberia’s facilities in Seville and Huelva.
Two first-of-its-kind demo plants were built: one for nutrient recovery using novel acid leaching technology to extract insoluble phosphates from biowaste; the other for applying biobased coatings such as biostimulants (MPB or NMPB) and biodegradable biopolymers to enhance soil nutrients and fertilizer performance. These two innovative processes were introduced as part of B-Ferst in order to make the manufacturing process more sustainable and have an improved and more sustainable final product thanks to the reuse of biowaste.
B-Ferst conducted field trials in diverse climatic areas across Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Poland to evaluate the performance of new fertilisers on various crops in four campaigns. Data analysis included standard fertiliser tests, remote sensing, and assessments of biowaste reuse to replace non-renewable materials. The trials also evaluated the impact of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants and examined soil biodiversity. Biobased fertilisers performed equal than conventional fertilisers, and they needed the incorporation of a biostimulant to enhance their efficiency. Moreover, the rational application of conventional and biobased fertilisers improved the soil biodiversity. These efforts established a new framework for understanding and demonstrating fertiliser performance for both technicians and farmers.
Regulation (EU) No 2019/1009 promotes the use of organic and waste-based fertilizers within the single market, promoting bio-nutrient recycling. It permits secondary raw materials in CE-marked fertilizing products, as long as they adhere to strict safety, production, efficacy, and contaminant standards. This regulation aids the adoption of sustainable products, such as those from the B-Ferst project (two biostimulants are being registered).
The project carried out a series of dissemination activities, including brochures, videos, leaflets, interviews and social media content, as well as the publication of five scientific articles. Over 70 news items were published in multiple languages, enhancing local communication through partner collaboration. Partners participated in or organized more than 90 events, reaching around 10,879 people.
The project results helped to identify the main barriers and bottlenecks for the biowaste implementation in the fertiliser industry value chain.
