The project has made significant progress in developing innovative soil improvers derived from circular bio-waste materials. More than 70 different product prototypes have been created using resources such as recovered nutrients (including struvite rich in nitrogen and phosphorus), insect-derived materials, and processed animal by-products. These solutions have been designed in both solid and liquid forms, with tailored nutrient compositions to meet the needs of different crops and regional farming conditions, particularly in Spain and Flanders. Many of these products also include components that naturally stimulate plant growth, helping to improve crop performance in a sustainable way.
A comprehensive safety assessment has confirmed that the developed products are safe for both the environment and human health. Laboratory testing has shown that they are non-toxic to aquatic life and present similar safety profiles to conventional fertilisers when handled appropriately. Further testing is ongoing to deepen the understanding of their long-term effects on soil ecosystems.
The effectiveness of these soil improvers has been demonstrated through greenhouse experiments, laboratory studies, and real field trials. Results show that several of the new products can match or even outperform traditional mineral fertilisers, particularly in delivering phosphorus to crops and maintaining yields. In addition, some formulations significantly improve soil quality by increasing stable organic carbon content, which is essential for long-term soil fertility and climate resilience. These findings highlight the potential to reduce the use of conventional fertilisers while maintaining agricultural productivity.
To ensure these innovations meet real farming needs, selected products are currently being tested directly on farms in Spain and Flanders. Farmers are actively involved in evaluating their performance under practical conditions, providing valuable feedback that will help refine the products and support their future market uptake.
Overall, the project demonstrates that transforming bio-waste into high-quality soil improvers is a viable and sustainable solution. These innovations can benefit farmers, the fertiliser industry, and society as a whole by reducing dependency on conventional fertilisers, improving soil health, and contributing to a more circular and environmentally friendly agricultural system.
