Impact Fertiliser water hyper-thermophilic anaerobic digestion as process for fertilisers production and systems for nitrogen recovery. It is foreseen up to 100% nutrient (NPK) recovery (2 and >15 times current phosphorus and nitrogen recovery rates) and >90% water reuse. Obtained products will be >90% reused thanks to prospective end-users in the consortium and a new Business model based on a cooperative financial scheme. Run4Life impacts will be evaluated on safety and security (Risk Assessment), from an environmental point of view (Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Technical Verification), on the economy (Benefit Cost Analysis) and considering Social Risk Perception. Active measures will be developed with the support of a Stakeholders and Exploitation Panel for achieving institutional, legal and social acceptance. Different parts of Run4Life will be large scale demonstrated at 4 demo-sites in Belgium, Spain, Netherlands and Sweden, adapting the concept to different scenarios (market, society, legislation). Performance tests will be carried out with obtained products (compared to commercial fertilisers) with close collaboration with fertiliser companies. Process will be optimised by on-line monitoring key performance indicators (nutrient concentration, pathogens, micropollutants). The information obtained in the 4 demo-sites will be used for process simulation to conceive a unified Run4Life model which will be applied in a fifth demo-site in Czech Republic, allowing new business opportunities and providing data for critical raw material policies. - Water in the context of the circular Scale-up of low-carbon footprint material recovery SMART-Plant will scale-up in real environment and energy-efficient solutions to renovate existing wastewater treatment plants and close the circular value chain by applying low-carbon techniques to recover materials that are otherwise lost. 7+2 pilot 1-6-2016 31-5-2020 Horizon 2020, Prof Francesco Fatone, Simos Malamis, step electrochemical 2017 Plant
for recovery of nutrients from manure, sewage sludge and food waste fertilisers and organic soil improvers. Biowaste, which includes animal manure, sewage sludge and food waste, forms an enormous resource of valuable nutrients. The project will include five demonstration-scale nutrient recovery installations, operating in combination with large anaerobic digesters and field testing of the recovered nutrient fertiliser products to demonstrate agronomic value, business case and environmental benefits. SYSTEMIC will (1) Demonstrate the effective combination of anaerobic digestion with nutrient recovery and recycling technologies (TRL 7-8) for producing valuable fertilisers and soil amendments from EU’s most abundant bio waste streams (manure, sewage sludge and food waste) at five demonstration plants working in a different legal, commercial and agricultural context in five European countries. (2) Demonstrate the viability of the Circular Economy business cases at the demonstration plants and to translate these into business opportunities for another ten EU outreach locations, (3) Provide plant operators and investors with a business development package for advancing the circular economy via the (i) selection of nutrient recovery technologies to make different products, (ii) economic performance and (iii) environmental benefits. (4) Derive applicable policy recommendations and innovation deals and to develop a road map to support the further roll-out of Circular Economy solutions for bio waste vaporisation in Europe. The five demonstrations plants are Groot Zevert (NL), AMPower (BE), Acqua&Sole (IT), GNS (DE), and RIKA biofuels (UK). Nutrients will be recovered by ammonia stripping (product ammonium sulphate), reverse osmosis (nitrogen and nitrogen-potassium concentrates), phosphate extraction and precipitation (calcium phosphate), and in organic digestate residuals, alongside production of purified irrigation water and biogas. for the circular projects Wetsus Phosphate Phosphate is an important fertiliser needed for food ? Ongoing Kemira, Leon
companies producing clean-tech and innovative solutions, as well as NGOs, initiatives and foundations working with water issues. Nutrient and Nutrient Recovery Thematic Network The objective NUTRIMAN is to improve the exploitation of the N/P nutrient management/recovery potential for practice cases not sufficiently known by practitioners To start soon ? Horizon 2020 ? Erik Meers and Edward Someus SUMANU Sustainable manure and nutrient for reduction of nutrient loss in the Baltic Sea Region A large share of the nutrient load to the Baltic Sea comes from industrial agriculture. More manure management would reduce the negative impact of farming on the sea. SUMANU gathers and synthesises best practices and recommendations on nutrient management from the Interreg Baltic Sea Region projects Manure Standards and Baltic Slurry Acidification, as well as the BONUS project PROMISE and Interreg Central Baltic’s GreenAgri. Best practices and recommendations are translated for and made available to authorities, policy makers, advisors and farmers. To start soon ? Minna Sarvi Clamber Biorefinery of organic waste The project includes biorefinery of organic waste at demonstration scale. The objective is to be open to different research projects and contracts with different partners and institutions at EU level. ? ? EU FEDER José María Gómez Palacios related ,
The Collaborative Recycling/Reuse model will develop a system for stakeholders to interact with each other to facilitate the use/reuse of end-of-life products and reduce waste, and implement the eco-credits awarding scheme to encourage people to recycle/reuse. Houseful Innovative circular solutions and services for new business in the EU housing sector The HOUSEFUL project aim to develop technical solutions in combination with building-level services to be offered within the framework of closed loop management models. The focus is on solutions that enable the efficient use of water, waste, energy and resources. These solutions will be sought and developed in workshops with stakeholders and will be made available to the public as on-line software. A wide spectrum of technical solutions will be developed and demonstrated at four demonstration buildings (two in Spain, near Barcelona and in Vienna, Austria), and then translated into circular business models in conjunction with stakeholders. At alchemia-nova’s office building, which was selected as one of the demonstration sites in Vienna, it is even projected for the collection of organic waste from the building and converting it into usable resources. Organic solid waste will be converted into methane, heat, electricity and soil in a biogas and thermal plant, employed again directly within the building. The liquid organic-waste component will be processed by a vertical plant-treatment unit, producing valuable fertilizer for urban agriculture. In totality, the innovations should result in an energy-positive building. 1-5-2018 Horizon 2020, - for the circular projects ? NEMO recycling of low-grade sulphidic mining waste for Using a “4 PILOTS – 2 case-studies” concept NEMO develops, demonstrates and exploits new ways to valorise sulphidic tailings. With an estimated volume of 600 Mtonne/yr and a historic stockpile of 28,000 Mtonne, sulphidic mining waste from the production of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), represents the largest volume of extractive waste in Europe. When poorly managed, these “tailings” may 1-5-2018 30-4-2022 Horizon 2020, - Raw Mika Paajanen material two creation
mineral and production in a circular economy cause major environmental problems such as acid mine drainage. In 2016 EIP Raw Materials launched a “call to arms” to transform the “extractive-waste problem” into a “resource-recovery opportunity”, as “tailings” still contain valuable & critical metals. The 2 cases are the Sotkamo Ni-Cu-Zn-REE/Sc mine in Finland and the Las Cruces Cu-mine in Spain; the 4 PILOTS are located at key points in the near-zero-waste flowsheet, encompassing the recovery of valuable & critical metals, the safe concentration of hazardous elements, the removal of sulphur as sulphate salts, while using the residual mineral fraction in cement, concrete and construction products. actions RELACS of Inputs in organic farming Systems RELACS will foster the development and facilitate the adoption of cost-efficient and environmentally safe tools and technologies, to phase out the dependency on and use of inputs considered contentious in organic farming systems. As a system approach to sustainable agriculture, organic farming aims to effectively manage ecological processes whilst lowering dependence on off-farm inputs. The RELACS project partners will evaluate and new solutions to further reduce the use of external inputs and, if needed, develop and adopt and environmentally safe tools and technologies to: (1) Reduce the use of copper and mineral oil in plant protection, (2) Identify sustainable sources for plant nutrition including fertilisers, and (3) Provide solutions to support livestock health and welfare. The project was developed by involving actors from research, farming, advisory services and industry from the very start hence implementing a truly multi-actor approach. RELACS has 29 partners from thirteen countries. 1-5-2018 30-4-2022 Horizon 2020, - Organic inputs – inputs in organic farming Lucius Tamm SUSFERT Sustainable fertiliser – combining SUSFERT will develop multifunctional fertilisers for phosphorus and iron supply. Phosphorus is essential for crop production but is currently based on non-renewable resources. The SUSFERT project will develop sustainable new sources for novel fertilisers to partly or fully replace 1-5-2018 30-4-2023 EU Joint Daniela and Natascha Miljkovic
business models, focussing on quality of products and services and creating resource loops, circular procurement aims to lead the way to a circular economy. The main goal of this project is to develop an adequate framework for circular procurement in the countries belonging to the Baltic Sea Region, by following a four steps approach: (1) Analysis of the status quo in Circular Procurement in the Baltic Sea Region and identification of improvement potentials at a at local, national and transnational level, (2) Building necessary capacity on circular procurement for all relevant stakeholders of the value supply chain, namely public procurers, SMEs and policy makers, (3) Delivering call for tenders aligned with the defined priority areas to enable learning by doing and ensure the projects develops practical capacity building material (e.g. training, guidance, future recommendations), and (4) Disseminating widely the project results among European public procurers and SMEs, using strategic partners and relevant channels. MANURE Advanced manure standards for sustainable nutrient and reduced emissions Enhanced manure management is one of the most important ways to reduce nutrient loading to the Baltic Sea. Farm-scale nutrient balance requires high-quality data on manure quantity and characteristics. The national manure data across the Baltic Sea countries is variable. To ensure a level playing field to all stakeholders dealing with manure management, joint guidelines for determining manure data should be developed. New, comparable manure data will be developed for use in planning, regulating, guiding and practical implementation of manure management in the Baltic Sea Region. Impact of their use will be assessed and implementation plans made. 1-10-2017 Baltic Sea Region Sari Luostarinen RDI2CluB Rural RDI milieus in transition towards The goal of the project is to support smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the bioeconomy in rural areas of the Baltic Sea region. RDI2CluB aims to help innovation actors apply EU smart specialisation approaches to their 1-10-2017 30-9-2020 Baltic Sea Region Aalto Anna
smart Clusters and Innovation Ecosystems specific field and region. The transnational partnership and network of the project plans to, for instance, support new business development in rural areas and create hubs to improve innovation management. ALG-AD Combining algal and anaerobic digestion technology to reduce and reuse nutrient rich digestate converting nutrients to create algal biomass for sustainable animal feeds ALG-AD addresses reuse of waste to generate products for a sustainable economy, reducing pollution risk and dependence on imported material resources. North West Europe (NWE), a densely populated intensive agricultural area, contributes disproportionately to food and farm waste produced in the EU each year. To reduce food and farm waste, anaerobic digestion (AD) is used (2000 AD facilities in NWE). AD converts waste to biogas energy and a liquid nutrient rich digestate (NRD). Each AD plant produces 4,000-70,000t/y of NRD (2-6 kg nitrogen/t NRD). Most NRD is returned to land as a biofertiliser. But, strict limits are imposed with Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: NVZs (European Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEC) restricting return of NRD to land to prevent eutrophication pollution. Much of NWE land falls within NVZs (58% in UK;100% in Brittany & Flanders) creating an excess NRD. Dealing with excess NRD is an acute worsening issue and solutions are needed. ALG-AD provides a solution combining algal and AD technology to reduce and reuse NRD converting nutrients to create algal biomass for sustainable animal feeds. Technology will be collaboratively implemented and tested in 3 distinct conditions’ in Devon (UK), Brittany (FR) and Flanders (BE). Sites reflect the heterogeneity of NWE from ‘predominantly rural remote’ to ‘predominantly urban’ (OECD 2011) and different types of biodegradable waste and in different regulatory landscapes. Demonstration to stakeholders and Decision Support Tools will enable Roll-out with AD retrofit would achieve market uptake for treatment of 300,000 t/y of NRD processing 20-9-2017 19-9-2020 Europe Erik Meers y
for the of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into new BioBased products (polyhydroyalkanoate and biocomposites) or additives (bioethylene, microalgae hydrolisated for biofertilisers). By using the biorefinery concept applied to MSW, URBIOFIN will exploit the organic fractions of MSW as feedstock to produce different valuable marketable products for different markets like agriculture and cosmetics. of the organic content of Solid Waste and to the circular Innovative tools enabling drinking WATER in rural and urban The overarching objective of WATERPROTECT is to contribute to effective uptake and realisation of management practices and mitigation measures to protect drinking water resources. Therefore WATERPROTECT will create an integrative multi-actor participatory framework including innovative instruments that enable actors to monitor, to finance and to effectively implement management practices and measures for the protection of water sources. We propose seven case studies involving multiple actors in implementing good practices (land management, farming, product stewardship, point source pollution prevention) to ensure safe drinking water supply. The seven case studies cover different pedo-climatic conditions, different types of farming systems, different legal frameworks, larger and smaller water collection areas across the EU. In close cooperation with actors in the field in the case studies (farmers associations, local 1-6-2017 31-5-2020 Horizon 2020, - Water farms – farming and its impact on the supply of drinking Piet Seuntjens 2016
characteristics; (2) Well-targeted experimental activity to solve a number of open technical issues (both process- and product-related), by using the appropriate combination of innovative and catalogue-proven technologies; (3) Market analysis within several economic scenarios and business models for full exploitation of products (including a path forward to fill regulatory gaps). Urban bio-waste include the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (from households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises), excess sludge from urban wastewater treatment, garden and parks waste, selected waste from food-processing (if better recycling options in the food chain are not available), other selected waste streams, i.e. baby nappies. Bio-based products include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and related PHA-based bioplastics as well as ancillary productions: biosolvents (to be used in PHA extraction) and fibers (to be used for PHA biocomposites). urban organic waste SABANA Sustainable Algae Biorefinery for Agriculture aNd The general objective of the SABANA project is to demonstrate the technical, environmental and social feasibility of producing valuable products for agriculture and aquaculture by using only marine water and wastewater as nutrients source. The key advantages of SABANA project are: the sustainability of the process, using marine water and recovering nutrients from wastewaters while minimizing the energy consumption, and the socioeconomic benefits, due to the relevance of the target bioproducts for two major pillars in food production as agriculture and aquaculture. Bioproducts capable of increasing the yield of crops and fish production are highly demanded, whereas recovery of nutrients is a priority issue in the EU. Instead of considering wastewater as an inevitably useless and problematic residue of our society, SABANA acknowledges its potential as an opportunity for economically relevant sectors. 1-12-2016 Horizon 2020, - algae biomass Francisco Gabriel Acien Fernandez
EffiCient mineral processing and RecOvery of Metals from metal contaIning seCondary raw materials CHROMIC aims to develop such new recovery processes for critical (Cr, Nb) and economically valuable (Mo, V) metals from secondary resources, based on the smart integration of enhanced pre-treatment, selective alkaline leaching and highly selective metal recovery across the value chain. An overarching assessment of the related economic, environmental and health and safety aspects will be carried out in an iterative way to ensure that the developed technologies meet the requirements of the circular economy whilst being in line with current market demand. The technology will be developed for two models streams (stainless steel slags and ferrochrome slags) with the potential of replication to numerous industrial residues across Europe. Involvement of society from early on will smooth the path towards implementation, so that the CHROMIC processes can contribute to securing Europe’s supply of critical raw materials. 1-11-2016 Horizon 2020, - New for of raw Liesbeth Horckmans InDIRECT Direct and indirect biorefinery for conversion of organic into multiple marketable products The InDIRECT project aims to develop the use of indirect cascading biorefinery processes to convert underspent side streams from the agricultural and processing sectors into useful and marketable products, including compost. The anticipated sidestreams include plant biomass from the primary, processing and retail sectors as well as other organic side-streams. A three-step model will be used to convert the varying side stream feedstocks into a homogenous biomass. In a unique and innovative approach, insects will be used to convert several side stream feedstocks into a more homogenous biomass, utilising their own biomass. The resulting insect biomass will be processed (fractionalised) into crude extracts, which will then be purified and converted into new products and compounds. 1-11-2016 Horizon 2020, - efficient Leen Bastiaens light grade material 2015
Finland: Satakunta, Southwest Finland, Central Finland, the North Karelia region and the South Karelia region. Finnish Environment centre is responsible for coordinating the whole and relatively broad LIFE CIRCWASTE, where LUKE is responsible for demonstrating circular economy in the food chain (including nutrient recovery and reuse) in Southwest Finland. LEMNA Duckweed technology for improving nutrient and resource efficiency in pig production systems The main objective of the LIFE LEMNA project is to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative nitrogen and phosphorous recovery technology, to improve nutrient management and reduce the environmental impact of animal farming. This biological, energy-efficient system will involve the sustainable treatment of anaerobically digested manure through a duckweed (aquatic plant) production system. Duckweed biomass will be processed to obtain new bio-based products for local consumption, mainly bio-fertilisers and animal feed; and it will also feed an existing biogas plant in the same location, which will allow the system to run 100% on green energy. The new technology will be tested in a 250 m2 duckweed production prototype with a treatment capacity of 3 m3/day, which will be installed and operated over a period of 21 months on a pig farm in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). 1-10-2016 LIFE+ Andrés Pascual NoAW No - Innovative approaches to turn agricultural waste into ecological and economic assets Driven by a “near zero-waste” society requirement, the goal of NoAW project is to generate innovative efficient approaches to convert growing agricultural waste issues into eco-efficient bio-based products opportunities with direct benefits for both environment, economy and EU consumer. To achieve this goal, the NoAW concept relies on developing holistic life cycle thinking able to support environmentally responsible R&D innovations on conversion at different TRLs, in the of regional and seasonal specificities, not forgetting risks emerging from circular management of agro-wastes (e.g. contaminants accumulation). By involving all agriculture 1-10-2016 30-9-2020 Horizon 2020, - Ensuring use Francesco Fatone 2019
monitoring and control methodologies. At demonstration scale, three added-value plants treating wastewater will be implemented and optimized to recover energy and added-value products including fertilisers. - Innovative Ecological on-site Sanitation System for Water and Resource Savings The INNOQUA project will accelerate the path to market of a modular set of innovative, patent protected, award winning and scalable fully ecological sanitation solutions that address wide market needs in rural communities, for agricultural industries, for sustainable home-builders or collective housing owners and for developing countries worldwide. The modular system is based on the purification capacity of biological organisms (worms, zooplankton and microorganism) and sorption materials bringing ecological, safe and affordable sanitation capacity. INNOQUA will perform demonstration scale deployment and resulting exploitation of the system to include commercial development, technology integration, eco-design, controlled environment pilots ( Ireland and Spain), real use demo sites and market uptake preparation in several EU and non-EU countries (France, Italy, Ireland, Romania, UK, Ecuador, Peru, India and Tanzania), and further preparation for post project uptake. This integrated but modular solution for the final reuse of wastewater is particularly attractive for small to medium remote water stressed European communities with high water demand for either agriculture and/or the conservation of natural freshwater ecosystems. The system is aimed at being a sustainable solution for ‘zero’ wastewater production with the complete reuse of wastewater. 1-6-2016 31-5-2020 Horizon 2020, - ? Intcatch and application of Novel, INTCATCH will instigate a paradigm shift in the monitoring and management of surface water quality that is fit for global waters in the period 2020-2050. INTCATCH will do this by developing efficient, 1-6-2016 31-1-2020 Horizon 2020, Mark Scrimshaw
disseminated facilitating the transfer and adaptation of the project outcomes in other cases. Urban metabolism accounts for building Waste Innovative Networks and Strategies UrbanWINS will study how cities consume resources and products, and how they eliminate the waste produced, in order to develop and test innovative plans and solutions aimed at improving waste prevention and management. Launched in June the project will analyse current strategies for waste prevention and management in a total of 24 cities and assess how they contribute towards resilience and resource efficiency. The project will follow the urban metabolism approach, in which cities are considered living organisms that use natural resources and create a flow of materials and energies. The results will be used to define objectives and indicators of the Strategic Plans for Waste Prevention and Management in the eight pilot cities. Active participation from citizens, governments, organisations, suppliers, research institutes and educational centres is foreseen through physical and online urban agoras in the eight pilot cities, where participants will share opinions, discuss ideas and plan solutions. The participatory approach is an added value of UrbanWINS, as the vision of all relevant players for waste production and management at urban level will be taken into account to co-develop new strategies and innovative solutions. Recommendations and tools will be transferable to other urban contexts. The final outcome of the project will be a toolkit for participatory and science-based decision-making and planning for waste management that can be applied in any public authority across Europe. 1-6-2016 31-5-2019 Horizon 2020, - ? Integrated based on sustainable water The VicInAqua project will follow an integrated approach in order to develop a sustainable combined sanitation and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for wastewater treatment and reuse in agriculture in the Victoria Lake Basin area. In this decentralized integrated treatment system wastewater from households and fish 1-6-2016 31-5-2019 Horizon 2020, Ephraim Gukelberger
the Baltic Sea will be improved. The project is based on the results of the first generation flagship BALTIC MANURE. Transfer of INNOvative techniques for sustainable WAter use in FERtigated crops FERTINNOWA will build a knowledge exchange platform to evaluate existing and novel technologies for fertigated crops and ensure wide dissemination to all stakeholders involved of the most promising technologies and best practices. Fraunhofer IGB will showcase at pilot scale an innovative technology to recover phosphorus from fertigated crops wastewater using the chemical-free ePhos technology. 1-1-2016 Horizon 2020, - Water for sector, Jennifer Bilbao of biomass ash and organic waste in the recovery of degraded soils: a pilot project set The LIFE No_Waste project aims to evaluate, demonstrate and disseminate the sustainable use of ash (from forest biomass residues combustion) combined with organic waste materials (sludge from the pulp and paper industry or compost) to regenerate degraded soils from mining areas, in compliance with the EU ‘Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection’. The project also aims to reduce the impact of wastes from the pulp and paper industry on the environment, while making better use of valuable resources according to the ‘end-of-waste’ criteria, while also contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A pilot-scale application 1-1-2016 LIFE+ Sónia Rodrigues network 2018 2019
water treatment (nitritation, membrane ammonia stripping). These individual technology assessments will merge into integrative activities such as treatment scheme modelling and design, global energy and heat management, carbon footprinting, integrated design options, as well as extensive dissemination activities. POWERSTEP will demonstrate the novel concepts and design treatment schemes of wastewater treatment plants that will be net energy producers, paving the way towards large implementation of such approaches and quick market penetration and supporting the business plans of participating technology providers. REFRESH Resource Efficient Food and dRink for the Entire Supply cHain The overall aim of the REFRESH project is to contribute significantly towards the objective of reducing food waste across the EU by 30% by 2025 (which amounts to between 25 to 40 million tonnes of food not being wasted in 2025[1], worth tens of billions of Euros a year) and maximizing the value from unavoidable food waste and packaging materials. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will adopt a systemic approach and use cutting edge science to enable action by businesses, consumers and public authorities. A central ambition of the REFRESH project is to develop a ‘Framework for Action’ model that is based on strategic agreements across all stages of the supply chain (backed by Governments), delivered through collaborative working and supported by evidence-based tools to allow targeted, cost effective interventions. Success will support transformation towards a more sustainable and secure EU food system, benefitting Europe’s economy, environment and society. 1-7-2015 30-6-2019 Horizon 2020, - A systems for the and reuse of food waste ? 3R2020+ From waste to resource by recycling The aim is to investigate innovative technologies to recycle different waste flows with no commercial value. In particular, the project will allow to obtain: (1) (2) PHA, hydrogen, caproic and D-lactic acids, (3) 1-6-2015 31-5-2019 CIEN call (CDTI) Gema Ortiz
multiple soil functions, but only at local scales. LANDMARK will build on these existing R&D initiatives: the consortium partners bring together a wide range of significant national and EU datasets, with the ambition of developing an interdisciplinary scientific framework for sustainable soil management. SUSFANS Metrics, Models and Foresight for European Food And Nutrition Security Strengthening food and nutrition security (FNS) in the EU requires a move towards a diet that supports sustainable food consumption and production. To gauge the policy reforms needed for this major societal challenge, the SUSFANS project will identify how food production and nutritional health in the EU can be aligned. The multidisciplinary research agenda of SUSFANS will build the conceptual framework, the evidence base and analytical tools for underpinning EU-wide food policies with respect to their impact on consumer diet and their implications for nutrition and public health, the environment, the competitiveness of the EU agri-food sectors, and global FNS. Based on a conceptual model of the food chain and its stakeholders, SUSFANS will develop suitable metrics and identify major drivers for sustainable FNS, integrate data and modelling, and develop foresight for European sustainable FNS. Central asset is a coherent toolbox which integrates two complementary strands of state-of-the-art quantitative analysis: (i) micro-level modelling of nutrient intakes, habitual dietary patterns and preferences of individual consumers, and (ii) macro-level modelling of food demand and supply in the context of economic, environmental and demographic changes on various time-scales and for multiple sub-regions. The tools will bridge the current gap between policy analysis on the EU agri-food sector and the nutrition-health sector. Case studies and scenarios based on stakeholder input from consumers, food industry, farmers/fishermen, government and the scientific community, are 1-4-2015 31-3-2019 Horizon 2020, - food and security through based EU policy Hans van Meijl agro-
proteins. Adapting the feed, the animal and the feeding techniques to improve the efficiency and of livestock production systems The Feed-a-Gene project aims to better adapt different components of monogastric livestock production systems (i.e. pigs, poultry and rabbits) to improve the overall efficiency and to reduce the environmental impact. This involves the development of new and alternative feed resources and feed technologies, the identification and selection of robust animals that are better adapted to fluctuating conditions, and the development of feeding techniques that allow optimizing the potential of the feed and the animal. 1-3-2015 29-2-2020 Horizon 2020, - and and feed sources for Jaap van Milgen PFeWTR Phosphorus capture, recycling and utilization for sustainable agriculture and a clean using iron The PFeWTR project aims to recover phosphorus (P), from agro-waste streams into a fertilizer, using water treatment residuals (WTRs). This would address both future P scarcity and environmental threats. Major agricultural wastewaters and leachates from farms and confined animal feeding operations are highly enriched with P and should be targeted for their P mining potential. Thus, developing means to capture the lost P, and reutilizing it for sustainable agriculture, could be paramount in extending future P use in production agricultural settings in Europe and beyond. An excellent opportunity exists to provide means of recovery and reuse P, while minimizing environmental pollution by using iron-based water treatment residuals (Fe-WTR), a 1-1-2015 1-1-2019 Horizon 2020 and BARD ? Iggy M. Litaor
water can be produced which will further reduce pumping energy requirement for water supply in most cases. In particular, the use of recycled phosphorus in urban farming and agriculture in the cities of future would ensure the booming future populations can survive. In view of the booming population and associated nutritional requirements of future generations food production must increase significantly. Optimal use of recycled fertiliser in organic farming: impact on yields and nitrogen efficiency The production and use of recycled fertiliser from biogas plants are increasing. However, a lot of questions remain unanswered concerning the fertilisers’ medium-term effects on yields, nitrogen efficiency and losses as well as on soil quality. In this project, an exact trial over several years testing various recycled fertilisers with and without biochar is created to answer the following questions: (1) Can the use of recycled fertilizer help reduce the yield gap in organic farming without affecting soil quality, product quality and the environment? (2) Can the nitrogen efficiency on organic farms be sustainably improved by using recycled fertilisers, especially fermentation products? and (3) Can nitrogen losses be reduced by adding biochar without risking any negative effects on soil quality and the environment? 1-5-2017 31-7-2021 Swiss Federal Office for (FOAG) – training and Else OPF Our Phosphorus Future The project aims to: (1) Bring together scientific evidence to support policy development; (2) Raise awareness of the priority issues, possible solutions and co-benefits of delivering global phosphorus sustainability; (3) Contribute to consensus development around the scientific base and the issues identified. The core project output will be a synthesis report which will be used to communicate the evidence on issues surrounding the flows and drivers of the global phosphorus cycle, and provide clear messages, including the capacity of changes in societal behaviour to improve sustainable phosphorus use. 1-2-2017 31-1-2019 UK Natural Council Will Brownlie Nutrient The Nurec4org project launched in will support the 1-1-2017 DBU Fabian Kraus
phosphorus and carbon waste mining as nutrient recycling strategy for the future thermochemical conversion techniques (pyrolysis, combustion, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization) for carbonization as well as recovery of ash components, fertilizer products rich in phosphorus and organic carbon will be developed and assessed for their viability, ecological and economic impacts. This innovative strategy will help to close nutrient cycles, protect the diminishing phosphate resources and improve the fertility of agricultural soils. Agency (FFG) Christoph Pfeifer Mest en Added Value from Manure and Minerals The main objective of the Meerwaarde Mest en Mineralen project is to arrive at this integrated manure processing at an anaerobic digestion site, including the monitoring and further substantiation, the optimization for the correct product formation and the business options are elaborated in view of the regional conditions of the manure treatment location (composition of manure feed and digestate sales of organic matter in the environment, purchase of minerals nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) products and their value, ....). The challenge is not only to set up a system for one location, but also to explore the possibilities for manure processing installations in other regions, because the conditions between regions and market outlets can differ greatly from one region to another. This step of added value in the chain involves not only manure processors, but also buyers of products, the builders of installations (manufacturing industry), governments (national and provincial authorities) and water boards. Through the further development of this strategy, the Dutch government will contribute to the ambitions of the Cabinet concerning the valorisation of manure (biogas, chain agreement phosphate, preservation of organic matter and green growth agenda, replacement of fertiliser and improvement of water quality). The approach is based on the methodology and strategy that was developed in the first phase of the Public Dutch farmers LTO Noord Oscar Schoumans
of the FATIMA FArming Tools for external nutrient Inputs and water FATIMA addresses effective and efficient monitoring and management of agricultural resources to achieve optimum crop yield and quality in a sustainable environment. It covers both ends of the scale relevant for food production, viz., precision farming and the perspective of a sustainable agriculture in the context of integrated agri-environment management. It aims at developing innovative and new farm capacities that help the intensive farm sector optimize their external input (nutrients, water) management and use, with the vision of bridging sustainable crop production with fair economic competitiveness. Our comprehensive strategy covers five interconnected levels: a modular technology package (based on the integration of Earth observation and wireless sensor networks into a webGIS), a field work package (exploring options of improving soil and input management), a toolset for multi-actor participatory processes, an integrated multi-scale economic analysis framework, and an umbrella policy analysis set based on indicator-, accounting- and footprint approach. FATIMA will be implemented and demonstrated in 8 pilot areas representative of key European intensive crop production systems in Spain, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, France, Turkey. 1-3-2015 28-2-2018 Horizon 2020, - External nutrient inputs Anna Osann First application and market of combined wastewater RichWater is a Fast Track to Innovation project whose main result is to develop a commercial system thoroughly demonstrated and tested in its operational environment. RichWater system is composed of a low-cost and MBR (to produce pathogen-free and nutrient rich irrigation water), a mixing module (for tailor-made mixing with freshwater and additional fertilizers), the 1-2-2016 31-1-2018 Horizon 2020, - Rafael Casielles, Antonia Lorenzo
of Loritus’ patented as an and organic waste processing technology converting organic waste streams into carbon neutral biocoal, carbon sequestering biochar, fertility products, water, and local thermal energy. During the project, Loritus will build a full-scale HTC installation to demonstrate its economic and technological performance across a range of commonly occurring waste streams sharing characteristics that make them costly to treat with established technologies. The demonstration will target at least three market applications (sewage sludge, food waste and animal and spent mushroom compost) on a commercial scale (10.000 tonnes/year). Loritus will then operate the full-scale HTC system on a specific organic waste stream, spent mushroom compost, at a mushroom farm in Ireland to finalise the business case for HTC in a real life, industrial scale application. Such a success will induce a multiplication effect across the associated farming cooperative, and provide evidence that clients in other market segments can gain the same HTC cost and environmental advantages. Loritus will prioritise and pursue these segments aggressively. - the of small for and a supply of raw SIPs European Network on Smart Inorganic Polymers This Action on Smart Inorganic Polymers (SIPs) will synergise the European activities in relevant areas in order to establish widely applicable rules for the rational design of smart inorganic polymers. The combination of leading scientists with common motivation but diverse expertise (main group/transition metal chemistry, polymer synthesis, characterisation, processing, applications, and theory) in concert with industrial partners will act as a nucleus for translational efforts towards the design and application of novel inorganic polymers (e.g. polyphosphazenes, polyamino- or phosphinoboranes, polysilanes, metallopolymers, nanoparticle-based hybrids). The network will coordinate and concentrate scattered existing national programmes and informal collaborations, which will be kick-started by EU COST Action Evamarie Hey Hawkins 2013
manure into a range of stabilised soil improving materials for and economic benefit for European agriculture into fertilisers and organic soil improvers. The products obtained have excellent quality as fertilisers and can then be mixed to match the nutritional requirements of any crop. BioEcoSim aimed to recover a stabilised organic soil amendment product (biochar) and nutrient fertiliser products (P and N salts) from manures. The process involves acidification (sulphuric acid), solid/liquid separation, struvite precipitation and ammonia recovery, supercritical steam drying and pyrolysis of the organic fraction. The project included construction and testing of a pilot plant and assessment, including analysis of regulatory aspects of recovered product marketing. This project targeted to produce sustainable soil improving products that can be easily handled, transported, and applied. BioEcoSIM valorises livestock manure as an important example of valuable bio-waste into 1) pathogenfree, P-rich organic soil amendment, 2) slow releasing mineral fertilisers and 3) reclaimed water. The project combined three innovative technologies 1) superheated steam drying 2) precipitation unit of struvite and calcium phosphate and 3) selective separation and recovery of NH3. Water reclaimed from manure will be utilised for livestock production and/or irrigation. The sustainability of this approach was validated against standards ISO14040 and ISO14044. Implementation of the R&D results will help fulfil the need for economically viable and environmentally benign practices in European agriculture to move towards a more resource-efficient and circular economy. WW-SIP From Urban Treatment Plant to Self The aim of the WW-SIP project is to redefine the urban wastewater treatment plant (UWWTP) by transforming it into an integrated platform for sustainable and profitable sewage refinement. The project will create an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable wastewater refinement platform (WW-SIP) by integrating innovative technologies into the infrastructures and 1-1-2012 LIFE+ Francesca Santori and Andrea Malucelli
management and fertigation. Optimised resource application leads to an immense savings potential in production costs (water & fertiliser by 20%) besides increasing crop yield from growth phase adjusted water and nutrient supply. This ‘saving & gaining’ makes. and a supply of raw Digestate from Manure Recycling This project brings together all stakeholders for the installation of a new process to minimize spreading digestate flows and to economically valorise the minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, among others). By using digestate instead of synthetic fertilisers, it is possible to save energy, limit consumption of fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint. 1-9-2013 31-8-2016 by the EU Jonathan De Mey of the digestate from pig manure as new fertilizers with an organic / mineral base and gradual release The objective of the MIX_FERTILIZER project is to demonstrate an innovative system for the agronomic valorisation of waste from the anaerobic digestion (decomposition without oxygen consumption) of pig manure (digestate) and to improve the associated environmental impacts. As a result of the project actions, a new type of fertiliser will be obtained with a mixed organic/mineral base and with gradual release by the addition of the nitrification inhibitor 3-4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DPPP). An aqueous effluent will also be obtained and employed in fertigation. 1-9-2013 31-8-2016 LIFE+ Raquel López of a system for The ValueFromUrine project will develop, demonstrate and evaluate an energy-efficient system for the recovery of nutrients from urine. This technology is based on research on Bio-electrochemical systems conducted in the Wetsus Resource recovery Theme and an urine treatment concept developed in the Separation at source 1-9-2012 31-8-2016 EU FP7 Dr. ir. Martijn Bijmans
project inorganic chemicals from and waste streams strategies for the recycling of inorganic chemicals from and bio-industry waste streams. It wants to maximally close nutrient cycles by minimizing residue flows and economically valorising the minerals that can be recovered from these residue flows. In this way, the BIOREFINE project targets to reduce environmental pollution and the wasting of finite resources and thus to stimulate a sustainable and more bio-based economic growth. Eventually this should create a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy in the NWE region. BioRefine puts a lot of emphasis on cross-sectoral and international networking where the actions include support for the establishment of regional nutrient platforms and dialogue between the different networks. The project also identifies nutrient recovery techniques from different waste streams which would be most suited for quantitative and qualitative nutrient requirements of the market. Good practice techniques are explored at pilot scale and in demonstrations. In this respect, BioRefine is working with industrial operators who are implementing struvite recovery from different waste streams, for example Aquafin at municipal wastewater treatment works in Leuven, Belgium. The project's work should result in new strategies for resource recovery. IVB NWE & Eva Clymans Fertiplus Reducing mineral fertilisers and by recycling treated organic waste as compost and The FERTIPLUS project will take up the challenge to identify innovative processing technologies and strategies to convert urban and farm organic waste to valuable and safe products for agriculture and allow industries to develop projects and provide adequate information on use and quality of the products. The focus in FERTIPLUS is in understanding why a given processing of a selection of combination of feedstocks will make a good product and to provide a tool for SME’s to determine the best strategy (what feedstock and what processing conditions will produce product with fertiliser value – what to put on the 1-12-2011 1-11-2015 EU FP7 Peter Kuikman
Mubic Mushroom and biogas production in a circular economy Growing certain biological foods requires a substrate such as straw, wood, chicken litter, horse manure and poultry litter for organisms to grow. Producing substrate today has low energy efficiency, has as a consequence that nutrients are lost, and is labour intensive. The innovation in the Mubic project, a new production method for substrate, enables resources for biogas production and mushroom production to be used in a circular system that recovers energy and nutrients in an ecological and economically sustainable way. By creating a value circle between biogas production, mushroom production and energy and nutrient recovery it is possible to: (1) Generate high value growth media that is the basis for high value food production; (2) Increase the feasibility of mushroom production by using a cheaper and transportable advanced substrate; (3) Increase the feasibility of biogas production by re-entering the spent mushroom substrate back into biogas production; (4) Increase energy efficiency from existing 50-55% to of biomass in biogas production; (5) Recover nutrients from biogas production 1-4-2015 30-9-2015 Horizon 2020, - the of small for and a supply of raw ? ? REFERTIL Reducing mineral fertilisers & chemicals use in agriculture by recycling treated organic waste as compost and The REFERTIL project is combining applied science and advanced industrial engineering for market competitive compost and zero emission biochar technology and product developments. Added value, safe and economic “ABC” Animal Bone bioChar Phosphorus fertiliser nutrient is recovered with 30% high P2O5 concentration for horticultural/adsorbent applications. A 10 000 tonnes output product/year industrial pilot plant is being finalised. The project has also developed a draft EU safety standards protocol for biochar. The objective of the REFERTIL project is to improve the currently used compost and biochar treatment systems, towards 1-10-2011 30-9-2015 EU FP7 Edward Someus 85%
Concepts to recover a maximum of the heat of the process will be developed, turning RecoPhos into a near-zero waste process. Euroslam The beneficial use of sewage sludge from small and medium sized The aim of this EUROSTAM project is to improve institutional capacity in small and medium sized municipalities and WWTPs in the PA, so that they can decrease the outflows of nutrition and heavy metals from WWTPs. This shall be done by using the sludge as a resource to produce renewable energy in a form of biogas, and to recycle phosphorus and nitrogen into fertilizers. Instead of being a waste, the sludge becomes a recourse that contributes to the reduction of CO2 emission by producing biogas and by meeting the challenge of peak phosphorus. The project will work on the development and testing of methods and techniques that facilitate the investment of municipalities. It will be done in three components which are interrelated. The aim of C3 is to produce a handbook on implementation of anaerobic digesters at smaller treatment plants. The work consists of equipment test, cross exchange of test results and a creation of a list that describes various systems that municipalities can invest in. The aim of C4 is to describe and test how to utilize biogas effectively. Biogas may be used as a source of heat, electricity or vehicle fuel. The participating partners’ situations differ, and the most effective use in terms of environmental impact and cost will be described for every participating partner. After the digestion of the sludge, there is still some sludge left as biosolids. The aim of C5 is to develop systems enabling the use of biosolids as fertilizers in agriculture. C5 will develop a quality assurance program, QA, for heavy metal removal, hygienic control, agricultural benefit, traceability and stakeholder acceptance. The QA program will later be converted to a certification program. The traceability system will be based on GIS for high consumer credibility. 1-7-2011 ? ?
MBR effluent was applied directly for irrigating and fertilizing fruit trees and vegetables in commercial agricultural production site in Southern Spain. To measure the performance and the reliability of the approach, the pre-commercial prototype included a feedback and control unit based on soil sensors. Willow Effluent Recycling Agricultural Need for Sustainable Willow Effluent Recycling Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) Willow (Salix spp.) can take up large amounts of water and nutrients and is therefore ideally suited to use for the biofiltratfion and bioremediation of effluents and sludges. All three regions (Northern Ireland, border areas of the Republic of Ireland and South Scotland) have difficulties with the environmentally sustainable disposal of sewage effluents. There are numerous small inefficient treatment works, septic tanks etc. which are causing serious pollution of groundwater and waterways. The use of SRC willow as a biofilter offers significant opportunities for the tertiary polishing of wastewater streams from water treatment works / septic tanks, farm wastewater and possibly effluents from a range of other sources e.g. food processors, landfill sites. ? ? ABOWE Advanced Concepts for Biological Utilization of Waste The objective of ABOWE is through pilot plant tests and related activities to produce investment decision support information in form of Investment Memo for each testing region. Potential implementers&investors, such as sewage treatment plants, farms, food factories & waste management companies form the key group of ABOWE associated organisations. After start-up and training of testing partners and other stakeholders, the pilot plants will be transported to testing regions to be thoroughly tested there from the regions’ point of view. Testing of biorefinery will take place in Finland, Poland & Sweden whereas testing of dry digestion will take place in Lithuania, Estonia & Sweden. The Investment Memo for each region will include Proof of technology as well as economical calculations, business plan and management 29-9-2014 ? ?
mussel farming, processing and in the Baltic Sea Region commercialisation of mussel farming, as it will provide stakeholders with tools to enable upscaling across the Baltic Sea Region. Moreover, Baltic EcoMussel includes a range of strategic analyses that will ensure that commercialisation of mussel farming is done in an efficient and sustainable manner. Baltic EcoMussel aims to help accelerate the adoption of mussel farming in the Baltic Sea Region by providing information and tools to support investments. This includes assessment of regulatory conditions and developing guidelines and business plans for farmers (WP2); assessment of market potential and socio-economic impacts of large-scale farming (WP3); establishing methodologies and routines for monitoring and evaluation of farms (WP4); and gathering, informing and training key stakeholders from the research community, aquaculture and end-user groups (WP5). The actions of the different WPs will be coordinated (WP1) and synthesised in project communications (WP5). Baltic EcoMussel is an innovative project aiming to achieve a commercially-viable mussel economy in the Baltic Sea Region, thereby directly contributing to the aims of the Central Baltic programme. Niskanen Marketable sludge derivatives from sustainable processing of wastewater in a highly integrated treatment plant This project researches, develops and demonstrates a toolkit of novel processes together with market development for advanced sludge-based products and integration methodologies that can be applied to a range of wastewater treatment plants based on a typical municipal scenario. The project took an overall approach to improving municipal sewage sludge management, looking at sludge reduction, solid-liquid separation by air flotation, recovery of biopolymers (BioPOL) and recycling of nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon) by production of an organo-mineral fertiliser. BioPOL is produced by milling the sewage sludge to break down cell structures and release biopolymers, then treated with alkali salt (NaOH). BioPOL was tested as a flocculant, 1-1-2011 1-12-2013 EU FP7 Ruben Sakrabani
innovative solutions for Reuse of water, Recovery of valuable Substances and Resource efficiency in urban wastewater treatment resource efficiency, reuse and recovery, including hydrothermal carbonisation. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate solutions that support the transition from a treatment plant for urban wastewater to a production unit of different valuables. The project aims to: (1) Demonstrate new technologies and solutions for increased resource efficiency in existing UWWTP performance thanks to innovative monitoring, advanced control strategies and management measures, (2) Demonstrate innovative wastewater technologies that enable reuse of water, recovery of valuables such as nutrients, (3) Facilitate market uptake for the demonstrated solutions for the European and global market by demonstrating solutions in different geographical context and reaching relevant stakeholders. Within the field of these topics, new and innovative technologies will be tested and demonstrated. For demonstration, 3 sites are involved in Belgium, Spain, and Sweden. Klara Westling Combine Converting Organic Matters from European urban and natural areas into storable bio-Energy The COMBINE project aims at opening up of abandoned urban, natural and agricultural areas for the energy production. The utilisation and development of environmentally friendly technologies are key factors for the achievement of the ambitious aims of EU to increase the share of renewable energies. The energetic utilisation of biomass has an important role, as in contrast to other renewables (wind/PV), biomass is storable and it is possible to produce storable bio-fuels. However, at present the energy production from biomass is often economically inefficient, e.g. through an insufficient utilization of waste heat in conventional biogas plants. The conventional production of biomass for biogas plants is often eco-inefficient, e.g. due to the dominance of maize and the increased risk of soil erosion and nutrient losses. The competition with food production on fertile 2015 IVB NWE Prof. Dr. Wachendorf
as fertilizer. In this study, the feasibility of the recovered P source as a fertilizer was evaluated. The effect of the enriched-spent lime (ESL) was first assessed in maize, one of the most important crops worldwide. In order to optimize the P cycle in the sugar production process, the fertilizer effect was further tested in sugar beet. The P availability of ESL was investigated at different growth stages, and its effect was compared to the commercial fertilizer-TSP. Plants treated with ESL did not perform as well as those treated with the TSP, potentially due increased soil pH. The application of a more concentrated ESL, resulting a minor increase of the pH, or pH ameliorated this effect. Results show the possibility to use the recycled P source as a fertilizer, optimizing the P-cycle and reducing P losses in agricultural waste streams. Ministry of Science and of the State of North PProduct Potential of sewage sludge phosphorus in plant production The purpose of this study is to study the long term fertilizing effect of sludge bound phosphorus, which is not yet fully recognized as a possible alternative resource. One aim is also to study the concentrations of selected hazardous substances and pharmaceutical residues and their possible accumulation to food chain. A novel method for future handling of sewage sludge may be pyrolysis and now also its effect on the above mentioned factors is studied. Sewage sludge is the most significant source of phosphorus (P) that is barely utilized in plant production in Finland. However, it is estimated that easily exploitable P reserves will be depleted in the near future, requiring more efficient utilization of these unused P resources. Low solubility of sewage sludge based P decreases its value as a fertilizer together with occurrence of hazardous substances and pharmaceutical residues, originating from the various domestic and industrial sources. There is also a concern that these harmful organic substances may have adverse effects to soil ecosystem and end up to surface and groundwater 1-1-2015 31-3-2018 Finland Ministry of ? Kari Ylivainio
process water with the help of separable exchangers in a test purpose, composite particles were developed, with which the dissolved phosphate can be bound and removed by magnetic separation from the liquid. Subsequently, the phosphate could be released again and further processing to fertilizer was carried out. gGmbH – Integrated wastewater treatment and biobased production GreenSpeed® is a new method in which algae technology is integrated into traditional wastewater treatment. This transforms into a resource capture plant with binding of NPK in an algal mass and a greatly increased carbon capture for biogas production. In addition, the symbiosis between bacteria and algae will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases considerably. 1-10-2015 1-7-2017 for of in the Danish Water Sector ? Marianne Thomsen From sewage sludge to fertilizers and soil improvers Define possibilities for future reuse of sewage sludge or sludge-derived minerals in agriculture. 1-1-2016 1-6-2017 Dutch and sludge Inge Regelink Improved Phosphorus Resource efficiency in Organic agriculture Via recycling and The IMPROVE-P project assessed phosphorus recycling in organic farming, taking into account potential for urban nutrient recycling and risk assessment of possible contaminants as well as life cycle analysis and acceptance in the organic sector. The different options have been evaluated from an agronomical and ecological point of view in the frame of this project. The information is summarized in a video tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBKmgw5LjLA 1-6-2013 1-5-2017 Private Kurt Möller
PIDA Phosphorus recovery in wastewater treatment – of a novel method for enhanced phosphate adsorption using ferric adsorbents and adsorbent The recovery of nutrients, especially phosphorus, is a major innovation in decentralized wastewater treatment. Closing the phosphorus cycle could provide a contribution to the development of sustainable resource management. Therefore, in collaboration with GEH Wasserchemie GmbH & Co. KG, an effective process for phosphorus recovery using iron oxide adsorbents is developed for decentralized wastewater treatment. The focus of the investigations is the establishment of an economically viable process for adsorbent regeneration. The aim of the regeneration is the recovery of adsorption capacity for a subsequent reloading as well as the recovery of a phosphate concentrate which makes it possible to produce a phosphate with fertilizer properties. Moreover, by developing an electrochemical fixed bed adsorption module (EFA module), the loading dynamics and capacity of the granulated iron hydroxide (GEH) should be substantially increased, which would contribute to a considerable improvement of the overall process. In addition, the EFA module is to allow a complete and selective loading with phosphate and can be easily integrated into newly built or existing small wastewater treatment plants. 1-6-2014 1-9-2016 AiF - Thomas Dittmar MAB3 The – sustainable production MAB3 is a four-year research project promoting biomass resources from the sea, namely algae. The overall goal is to contribute to solving the challenges with food and energy supply and find ways to exploit the sea instead of farm land. The project aim is to develop new technologies in laboratory and pilot scale that will lead to 1-2-2012 30-3-2016 Danish fund Marianne Thomsen
everyday activities and decision-making processes. First you have to make an initial survey of the nutrient flows in the municipality. Then the situation is presented thorough in the municipal administration. Nutrient recycling goals should be included in the plans and strategies of the municipality's future activities and this requires support and approval from the management at the beginning of the work. On the third and fourth steps objectives and measures are agreed. Then it's time for action. Do not forget to follow up the results and make change if needed. And make sure to tell about the actions to stakeholders and the public. Municipalities can’t, however, alone be held responsible for turning nutrient recycling into everyday practice. All regional actors need to get engaged into action: companies, institutions, schools, organizations, NGOs and individual citizens. The study was conducted in Finland, but its principles are suitable for municipality-level work anywhere in Europe. Municipalities should be viewed as trendsetters, partners and enablers of nutrient recycling everywhere in Europe. Sludge reycling Norway Increasing availability of phosphorus in the sludge coming from WWTPs (Norway) Investigations on the use of lime in sludge handling with the aim to increase the phosphorus availability on sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants in Norway. Secondary objectives (1) Explain the effect of different dosage amounts of different types of lime on the phosphorus availability of the digested sludge (biorest); (2) Analyse changes in the odor potential of digested sludge after adding the different types of lime and doses; (3) Analyse the hygienisation effect of applying different types of limes and doses. Sub-objective (4) Determine costs associated with limestone dosage to digested sludge. 2017 2017 Regional research fund - the capital, Norway ? Bjarne Paulsrud BIOUREA Innovative fertilizer products used in The project aims at creating a model for and to test large scale utilisation of toilet based fertiliser products. Key objectives are to develop and test technologies for collection and management, acquire official acceptance 2015 2016 Finland Ministry of ?
sewage sludge with calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) phosphorus recovery by the addition of calciumsilicatehydrate (CSH) particles into the anaerobic digester. The CSH fixates phosphorus as calcium phosphate and reduces the phosphorus concentration in the sludge water that allows for control of struvite formation. The phosphorus-containing recovery can be separated and recovered from the digested sludge. In pilot plant experiments, 21% to 31% of phosphorus contained in digested sludge could be recovered when CSH was added at concentrations of 2 g/L to 3.5 g/L to a mixture of primary sludge and waste activated sludge (WAS) from enhanced biological phosphorus removal. The recovery product contained few heavy metals and a phosphorus content of 18 wt % P2O5, which allows for recycling as fertilizer. The fixation of phosphorus within the digester may increase wastewater sludge dewaterability. The phosphorus recycle stream to the headworks of the wastewater treatment plant is reduced. IF2O - COOPERL of organic fertilizers derived from livestock manure ? ? ? ? Bertrand Convers KIVIREKI Urban agriculture as a part of resource efficient business The aim of this project is to develop and test different business opportunities of urban agriculture based on closed nutrient cycles in urban areas. In addition to volunteer and free-time urban agriculture, urban agriculture can also be widespread, professional and economically profitable. This kind of urban agriculture would not only meet the requirements of low carbon and energy efficient food production, more resource efficient nutrient use, but also the challenges that are related to the welfare of urban citizens. This project aims at ? ? ? ?
increasing the know-how of the project participants in professional urban agriculture. It also works as an innovation platform for different urban agriculture solutions. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Tampere University of Applied Sciences and the Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland along with numerous collaborative entrepreneurs, urban agriculture farmers, and authorities. The main partners in the project are four fine dining restaurants from Tampere, Finland. In 2016 urban farming pilots were started with the restaurants. sewage sludge to energy, fertiliser and iron in a single step using phosphorus recycling The joint partners in the project aim to investigate the technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and ecological sustainability of metallurgical phosphorus recycling as an integrated, thermal process of melt-gassing sewage sludge. With the aid of a pilot system on a semi-technical scale, the process is to be tested in its core components and developed until it is suitable for constant operation. ? ? BMBF Burkard Hagspiel Manure valorization with manure treatment Full scale pilot manure treatment plants, in the Netherlands (100 000 tonnes manure raw weight per year) and one in Germany. ? ? ? ? Oscar Schoumans Nutrient Clearing House Centralized upgrading plant for the recovery of mineral nutrients and critical ? ? ? ? Gert de Bruyn
metals NUTS Transition towards Sustainable Nutrient Economy in Finland NUTS is a unique three-year project developing sustainable nutrient economy together with different domains and stakeholders. The project is a part of the Tekes program – Towards a Sustainable Economy. In addition, the project involves pioneer work in studying how extensive transitions can be managed and executed within a whole society. ? ? Finnish Mirja Mikkilä Struvite from manure ? ? ? ? ? Polonite Polonite reactive filter systems Reactive filter systems (a calcium silicate based material) have proved successful in removing phosphorus from farmland drainage and in individual household sewage treatment systems, with 4 000 installations sold to date. The used material can be spread to land to recycle the phosphorus. Industrial-scale pilot trials are currently underway at a UK sewage works and a Russian chicken farm. ? ? Private Anders Norén POWER Renewable phosphorus fertilizer from livestock effluent to prevent water Looking at different routes for nutrient recycling from digestates. Projects include production of fertiliser pellets from digestate and wood ash, struvite precipitation from manure digestate. Assessments of fertiliser value of digestates have been carried out on a range of crops including lettuce, beetroot and maize (data under publication). ? ? CARIPLO Fulvia Tambone and Fabrizio Adani