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.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencessoil sciencesedaphology
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybioprocessing technologiesfermentation
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-BBI-JTI-2017
See other projects for this call
Coordinator
1080 Wien
Austria
Participants (10)
1210 Wien
1180 Wien
2000 Antwerpen
1000 Ljubljana
12489 Berlin
1010 Wien
1020 Wien
35400 Saint-malo
1030 Wien
6211 AA Maastricht