New Life for Biowaste as a sustainable Soil Improver
FENIX aims to restore abandoned and degraded agricultural soils while increasing soil quality, water retention, and climate resilience through sustainable bio-waste valorisation. The project develops a novel soil amendment by combining biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis and digestates generated as by-products of anaerobic digestion for biogas production, creating a closed circular value chain linking agriculture, renewable energy, and waste management. FENIX evaluates multiple biochar–digestate formulations across different crops and poor soil types at five demonstration sites in Spain, France, and Greece. Laboratory, pilot, and field trials assess soil fertility, nutrient availability, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions, supported by simulation and decision-support tools to predict long-term impacts. Results demonstrate improved soil performance, enhanced use of digestates from biogas plants, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers, and strengthened climate mitigation and sustainable bio-waste management.
Duration: 2023 – 2027
Programme: Horizon Europe
Project ID: 101113002
Total Budget: € 3,251,511.46
Keywords: biochar, digestate, soil amendment, bio-waste valorisation, nutrient recovery, soil restoration, circular agriculture, anaerobic digestion, climate mitigation