Sustainable multifunctional fertilizer – combining bio-coatings, probiotics and struvite for phosphorus and iron supply

Objective

SUSFERT addresses the massive usage of mineral fertilisers in EU agriculture, which are largely based on non-renewable resources, but are required in intensive crop production for meeting demands for food and feed. SUSFERT will develop multifunctional fertilisers for phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) supply, which will fit into existing production processes and common EU agricultural practice.
The SUSFERT innovation combines bio-based and biodegradable coatings, probiotics, and the renewable P-source struvite in at least four novel sustainable P and Fe fertiliser products, which may partly or fully replace unsustainable and resource-intense conventional ones. SUSFERT will test novel organic formulations, microgranules, granules, and liquid fertilizer products in field trials, evaluate them regarding economic potential and environmental sustainability, ensure regulatory compliance and establish industry-scale production processes (TRL 7-8). Technological concepts include 1) probiotics based on P and Fe solubilizing Bacilli and Actinobacteria; 2) microbial siderophore (Fe chelator) produced in a demonstration plant; 3) enzymatic modification of the by-product lignin for cost effective, biodegradable controlled release coatings and product stabilization and 4) demonstration of struvite, a renewable P-source from wastewater, as a partial substitute of mineral P. Five industrial, three SME and three academic partners will contribute expertise along the whole value chain in biotechnology, microbiology, large-scale fermentation, fertilizer production and sales. We will fit the SUSFERT products into the regulatory and policy context for conventional and organic agriculture in various pedo-climatic conditions in Europe and prepare rapid market entry post-project.

Field of science

• /engineering and technology/materials engineering/coating and films
• /engineering and technology/industrial biotechnology/bioprocessing technologies/fermentation
• /natural sciences/biological sciences/microbiology/bacteriology
• /social sciences/economics and business/economics/production economics
• /social sciences/other social sciences/social sciences interdisciplinary/sustainable development
• /agricultural sciences/agriculture, forestry, and fisheries/agriculture
• /natural sciences/earth and related environmental sciences/soil science/edaphology
• /natural sciences/chemical sciences/inorganic chemistry/inorganic compounds

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.3.2.6.1. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bio-economy

Topic(s)

• BBI.2017.D4 - Innovative bio-based fertilising products to increase the sustainability of fertilising practices in agriculture

Call for proposal

H2020-BBI-JTI-2017
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

BBI-IA-DEMO - Bio-based Industries Innovation action - Demonstration

Coordinator

RTDS - VEREIN ZUR FORDERUNG DER KOMMUNIKATION UND VERMITTLUNG VON FORSCHUNG, TECHNOLOGIE UND INNOVATION (RTDS VEREIN, ENGL. RTDS ASSOCIATION)

Address

Lerchengasse 25/2-3
1080 Wien
Austria

Activity type

Other

EU contribution

€ 699 271,25

Participants (10)

AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH

Austria

EU contribution

€ 752 482,50

Address

Giefinggasse 4
1210 Wien

Activity type

Research Organisations

UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN

Austria

EU contribution

€ 1 046 868,20

Address

Gregor Mendel Strasse 33
1180 Wien

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN

Belgium

EU contribution

€ 300 896,25

Address

Prinsstraat 13
2000 Antwerpen

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

ACIES BIO BIOTEHNOLOSKE RAZISKAVE IN RAZVOJ DOO

Slovenia

EU contribution

€ 544 775

Address

Tehnoloski Park 21
1000 Ljubljana

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

ABITEP GMBH

Germany

EU contribution

€ 422 105,25

Address

Glienicker Weg 185
12489 Berlin

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

AGRANA RESEARCH & INNOVATION CENTER GMBH

Austria

EU contribution

€ 324 964,79

Address

Friedrich-wilhelm-raiffeisen-platz 1
1010 Wien

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

AGRANA STARKE GMBH

Austria

EU contribution

€ 1 210 870,83

Address

Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen Platz 1
1020 Wien

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

AGRO INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL

France

EU contribution

€ 628 294

Address

18 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt
35400 Saint-malo

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

TIMAC AGRO DUNGEMITTELPRODUKTIONS UND HANDELS GMBH

Austria

EU contribution

€ 363 387,50

Address

Am Heumarkt 10
1030 Wien

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

SAPPI NETHERLANDS SERVICES B.V.

Netherlands

EU contribution

€ 261 063

Address

Biesenweg 16
6211 AA Maastricht

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)