Bio-based FERtilising products as the best practice for agricultural management SusTainability
B-FERST promotes sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural production by integrating bio-waste valorisation, including the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), into fertiliser manufacturing and farm management. The project maps bio-waste streams in eight European countries, analyses more than 150 candidates, and selects five biobased materials, such as ashes, struvite, compost from OFMSW, sewage sludge, and agri-food residues, as nutrient sources for fertiliser production. These materials are converted into eight specialty bio-based and organo-mineral fertilisers, enhanced with microbial and non-microbial biostimulants and biodegradable coatings. Industrial-scale demonstrations and multi-country field trials validate agronomic performance and safety. Life Cycle Assessment confirms reduced environmental impacts, including up to 10% lower carbon footprint and significant substitution of non-renewable raw materials, while strengthening circular value chains linking municipal waste management, agriculture, and the fertiliser sector.
Duration: 2019 – 2024
Programme: Horizon 2020
Project ID: 837583
Total Budget: € 10,016,296
Keywords: bio-based fertilisers, bio-waste valorisation, nutrient recovery, biostimulants, organo-mineral fertilisers, soil health, circular agriculture, industrial upscaling, sustainable value chains