Online catalogue showcasing 25 best available technologies for nutrient recovery and bio-based fertiliser production.
The FertiCovery project is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for recovering nutrients from secondary raw materials. Through collaboration between research, industry and practical applications, different technological pathways are assessed for their potential to close nutrient loops and reduce dependence on conventional fertilisers.
In this context, the project addresses the challenge of limited awareness and uptake of sustainable bio-based fertiliser solutions by equipping stakeholders with knowledge on effective technologies and practices for nutrient recovery.
Based on this work, a range of resources, including technology descriptions, datasheets and policy briefs for 25 best available technologies for bio-based fertilisers are being developed, to support informed decision-making and wider use of bio-based fertilising products.
On this page, an overview of 25 technology descriptions are presented, illustrating how diverse organic waste streams can be converted into valuable resources.
Producing certified biochar from forest residues – the process Biomass is dried and subsequently heated at high temperatures (600–800°C) without oxygen and biochar is produced Excess heat is reused within the process The final product: Certified biochar (EBC-certified), used as a soil amendment or substrate component
Producing both energy and soil improvers – the process Pyrolysis produces syngas and biochar by heating the biomass to over 600°C without oxygen. Part of the syngas will provide heat to the process whilst the other part is send to biological methanation reactors. Biological methanation converts syngas into biomethane using microorganisms. The biomethane is purified […]
Converting biomass into stable carbon for soils – the process The process includes: Biomass preparation and drying by hot flue gases to reduce moisture content to near-zero levels Thermal treatment without oxygen (pyrolysis) in the carbonization chamber where the biomass undergoes thermal decomposition into biochar products Energy recovery from produced gases (syngas). During the thermal […]
Producing fertilisers and clean water from manure – the process The process includes: Mechanical separation of the feedstock to separate the solid and liquid fraction. Advanced filtration of the liquid fraction via filtration Ammonia recovery through stripping and scrubbing which results in the ammonium sulphate product. Reverse osmosis for water purification The final product: […]
Recovering nitrogen as a valuable fertiliser – the process The process is based on stripping and scrubbing: Pre-heating and pH adjustment through CO2 stripping The liquid stream is heated and conditioned to enhance ammonia release. Ammonia stripping Ammonia is transferred from the liquid into an air stream. Acid scrubbing The ammonia reacts with acid to […]
Recovering nutrients with biological and membrane treatment – the process The integrated system includes: Anaerobic digestion (AD) of livestock manure, animal-by-products such as slaughter house waste, food waste and cheese whey Solid–liquid separation of the digestate Biological treatment (MBBR) of the liquid digestate fraction to reduce organic load and nitrogen Ultrafiltration membrane reactor (UF-MBR) to […]
