Novel procedures and sustainable guidelines to enhance the use of alternative fertilisers
NOVAFERT accelerates the transition to sustainable agriculture by demonstrating the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of at least 25 alternative fertilising products derived from six waste-based feedstocks, including manure, sewage sludge, bio-waste, agro-industrial residues, industrial by-products, and other organic waste streams. The project maps existing alternative fertilisers across Europe through a public online inventory and develops an Atlas of 50 nutrient-oriented living labs, from which seven regional lighthouse demonstrations in Spain, Ireland, Croatia, Finland, Belgium, and Poland showcase nutrient recovery in practice. NOVAFERT advances environmental performance assessment by developing a consensual Life Cycle Assessment–based methodology aligned with EU Product Environmental Footprint standards. Through regional working groups, demonstrations, workshops, and policy briefs, the project strengthens stakeholder capacity, supports sustainable local value chains, and promotes the safe replacement of synthetic and mineral fertilisers.
Duration: 2022 – 2025
Programme: Horizon Europe
Project ID: 101060835
Total Budget: € 1,998,829.00
Keywords: alternative fertilisers, nutrient recovery, waste-based feedstocks, bio-waste, circular agriculture, life cycle assessment, LCA, environmental performance, regional value chains