REcycling of NUtrients to close the fertiliser CYCLE

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-05-12

Description

Description (EN):

EU is importing annually > 6 Mio t of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertiliser. NPK pricing is coupled to energy, mining, synthesis & transport costs. Russia & Ukraine were main N suppliers to EU, while P supply is heavily dependent on Moroccan resource intensive import. This makes NWE’s agriculture highly dependent on world economic & geopolitical developments. At the same time, essential nutrients in NWE are still lost in form of non-recycled organic resources from waste sector & nutrient surplus regions (e.g. Flanders, North Rhine Westphalia, NL) due to a predominating linear economic model. Nutrient deficit regions (e.g. Lux., IE, Saarl.) are still not supplied with recycling-derived fertilisers (RDF) from surplus regions, where innovative nutrient recovery enterprises have been established. Overall objective is to reduce NWE's dependency on fossil-based fertiliser imports with proven impacts on availability, ecol. foot-print & price stability via transregional valorisation of recycled NPK from municipal, industrial waste & agric. sector in Flanders, NL, IE, Saarl, Low-Sax, Lux. ReNu2Cycle is building on the achievements of ReNu2Farm which provided basic & regional quantified fertiliser demand research. New co-development and implementation to be performed to adapt regional best-practices for NWE: living lab concepts encouraging long-term co-innovation & implementation support. Maximising RDF use by creating innovative fertiliser blends & business solutions for producers portfolios incl. sustainability assessment. Traders will be empowered to consult/ market RDFs. RDF use at (+organic-) agriculture farms will be assessed. All results will be capitalised in one transregional nutrient supply-demand strategy & regional action plans. Resource owners, fertiliser producers, traders & farmers benefit to comply with the latest EU policies, which finally allow a harmonised RDF market trade in NWE (7/22), contributing further to NWE food supply security.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Submitted deliverables: - D.1.4.7: Launching event at ESNI - D3.4.1 Communication and dissemination plan - There has been to none specific objective, project output and result indicators contributed directly as the project has just been started and the consortium is in the process of sub-defining the operationalization of the objective and output and result indicators. Management: - Attendance at lnterreg NWE approved project meeting seminar in Lille, France in May 2023. - Steering technical requirements for project approval on request of JS and submission (1.6.2023). - On 05.07-07.07.2023, the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) in cooperation with the 3N Competence Center, the district of Heidekreis and IZES hosted the kick-off partner meeting for the Renu2Cycle project in Rotenburg, Germany. Here, all participants participated and were inivted to visit the production of innovative Recycled Derived fertilizers (RDF) directly at a running biogas plant. Furthermore, the participants of the kick-off meeting discussed the working procedure within the respective WPs. - Decision making with partners on selected project internal shared platform. - Project dissemination at all partners homepages. - Establishing min. 4 synergy project cooperation as with a) EU project Fer*Play -Circular fertilisers for healthy soils; b) Exchange on administrative issues (e.g. Controller, management etc.) with the EU INTERREG VI B NWE project (Mona), led by Tourismus Zentrale Saarland GmbH (24.10.2023); c) Establishing synergy with EU Horizon project Biorural on nutrient recycling stakeholders (supply-demand). Presentation of ReNu2Cycle project on the Bioeconomy Day Saarland (16.11.2023)/ poster session and dialogue; d) Discussion to establish synergy cooperation with Bioboost-Pro consortium (Application stage 1, INTERREG VI B NWE). WP1 : - Establishment of regular WP1 meetings with participating partners (1/month), led by MTU. All Activity leads present their current state of the art and opening partnership discussion (co-generation). Miro-board table as common progress tool introduced (07/2023). - WP1.1.1: start of joint process by UGent to co-develop the methodology for Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) supplies across NWE. UGhent presented the “Flanders Mass Flow Analysis Methodology” (1.12.2023), for further co-development in the project. - WP1.2.1: start of joint process by IZES to co-develop the methodology to assess the sustainability of RDF - WP1.4.7: facilitating launching event of ReNu2Cycle at the ESNI Conference (20.9.2023) in Brussels, organized by UniGhent and impact. Separate slot: ReNu2Cycle: Closing the nutrient cycle to provide sustainable, bio-based fertilizer in NWE´by addressing stakeholder interaction. WP2 : - WP2.1.1. facilitating regular WP2 overall meetings to pre-discuss blended RDFs to be used at farm demo sites (12/2023). - 2.1.2: Partners from Ireland, Flanders and Luxembourg have started the set up of pot trials. - 2.1.3: To test bio-based fertilizer, several field trails are planned to be performed in Saarland and Lower Saxony (Germany), Luxemburg, Flandern and Ireland. WP 2 lead (ULim) is coordinating the field trials within the consortium to enable a transparent and transferable procedures between the regions at WP2 meetings. - WP2.2.2. Already starting with the design of the support tool for stakeholders to make a choice out of available RDF blends in addition to conventional organic and mineral fertilisers. - WP2.3.1:Start of the Living Lab design and implementation, including the design and running of a stakeholder workshop, using design based methods, at the ESNI workshop in Brussels in Sept and of bespoke stakeholder mapping tools as part of the WP1 supply chain fora design workshop (internal to partners). WP3 : - WP3.1.1: ReNu2Cycle is now the coordinator of the Policy Working group of the ESNI/nutrient recycling community, with represents also other EU funded projects on nutrient recycling. Under this scope, 2 ReNu2Cycle and 1 policy working group have been organized to elaborate input to EU law public consultation. A policy recommendation has been submitted on the 30th October to the European Commission by ESNI/nutrient recycling community, led by ReNu2Cycle. - WP3.3.1: The regional nutrient platform in Flanders has been launched, conducting activities within the living lab in Flanders and facilitating the establishment of a user group in the region. The Flemish Nutrient Platform is closely tied to ongoing living lab activities and can be a blueprint for other regions general design. Submitted Deliverables: D1.2.1 (Sustainability Assessment Methodology) is postponed to reporting period 3 due to its complexity. Objective, Output, and Result Indicators: The project has recently started, and the consortium is in the process of defining specific objectives, outputs, and result indicators. Management by Lead Partner: Prepared and submitted Progress Report I, coordinating with partners and the Controller. Organized JS JEMS intro meetings for lead and all partners (Jan 11 & 18, 2024). Finalized partner contracts and shared cost planning. Ongoing communication with partners and the JS project officer, focusing on monitoring report requests. Organized the 2nd online Partner Meeting (Feb 7, 2024). Planned the 3rd partner meeting at the University of Limerick (Sept 3-4, 2024). Synergy project collaborations with Fer*Play, BioBoost, and support for Interreg NWE program application (step 1). Presented ReNu2Cycle at ManuReSource (March 20-21, 2024). Joined the Biorefine Cluster Europe, with a meeting held on April 9, 2024, to discuss communication strategies. WP1: D1.1.1: Methodology for RDF (Recycling Derived Fertilizer) mass flow supplies successfully submitted this period. D1.2.1: Sustainability assessment methodology postponed due to complexity; good progress is made, and expected to finalize next period. D1.3.1: Legal conformity assessment began with desktop studies evaluating amendments to fertilizing product legislation. D1.4.2: NMI is preparing RDF taxonomy definitions for infographics (IMPACT). WP2: WP2.1.1: Pre-blending analysis of RDF was completed by ULim, UGent, Inagro, 3N, District ROW, and Heide District for pot and field trials. In Belgium, five potential products were expanded to nine blends with detailed analyses. In Ireland, a micro-plot trial was developed, focusing on field preparation, fertilization plans, and potato planting. Fertilizer blending trials used hydrochar, struvite, and vinasse as nutrient sources, with ongoing pot and soil column trials. WP2.1.2: Pot and micro-plot trials are underway in Ireland and Belgium, with field trials planned for winter 2024/2025 in all partner regions except the Netherlands. WP2.1.4: Methods for assessing the ecological impact of RDFs are being tested. A nutrient cycling study pot trial is in progress, focusing on nematode communities in RDF-treated soils. Despite the official start being set for period 5, WP2.2 has already begun. Samples of RDFs were sent by Inagro to UGent for efficiency checks (2.2.1). NMI started designing a support tool for stakeholders under 2.2.2. ULim: Discussions on establishing a Living Lab for stakeholder engagement in RDF co-innovation (linked to Act 2.3) are ongoing. The first stakeholder workshop is scheduled for the next reporting period. Living Lab meetings occurred at both European and regional levels, supported by co-creation from the Kenny Business School. Nutricycle Vlaanderen, initially launched within another EU project that ended in September, is part of these Living Lab efforts. WP2.4: All partners contributed to communication and long-term dissemination using various promotion channels. WP3: 3.1: ReNu2Cycle chairs the European Sustainable Nutrient Initiative (ESNI) Working Group on Policy, led by NMI and UGent, with IMPACT managing dissemination. In response to the European Commission's consultation on the Nitrates Directive, ReNu2Cycle partners, along with projects like Novafert and NutriBudget, submitted a joint feedback letter and paper, published by IMPACT and shared through Biorefine Cluster Europe (BCE) channels. NMI organized an ESNI webinar (detailed in D3.1.2), and a policy roundtable took place at ManuResource 2024, focusing on "Processed Manure as a Component for EU Fertilisers." UGent hosted a Policy Workshop on the Nitrates Directive (Feb 8, 2024) and an ESNI webinar on RENURE (May 8). Inagro attended the ESPP "Defining 'Biobased Fertilisers'" meeting on Jan 18. 3.2: Market engagement efforts, building on WP1 and WP2, are particularly linked to Act 2.3. IMPACT, in collaboration with the University of Limerick, developed a roadmap for engaging market actors. Using the MIRO board tool, stakeholders were mapped, and engagement levers were identified. 3.3: The Flemish Nutrient Platform (Nutricycle Vlaanderen) supports ongoing living lab activities, led by a steering group. UGent presented the platform’s structure for regional alignment, but the related deliverable was postponed to period 3 due to ongoing negotiations. UGent hosted the second steering committee meeting in March 2024, refining the action plan and considering extending efforts to other regions within the ReNu2Cycle partnership. 3.4: Promotional materials are in use by all partners. For example, MTU adapted the ReNuCycle leaflet for use in Ireland.

Project outputs: Joint strategy for RDF supply chain adaption and improvement to increase RDF product use in rural NWE(EN)
Recycling derived fertilizer (RDF) application are demonstrated on working farms ready for adoption across NWE
(EN)
Recycling derived fertilizer (RDF) blending tool development for farmers(EN)
Website: http://renu2cycle.nweurope.eu

Thematic information

Agriculture and fisheries and forestry

Priority: (VI-B_NWE_3) Transition towards a place-based circular economy

Priority specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 071 Promoting the use of recycled materials as raw materials

Partners (13)

Lead Partner: IZES gGmbH

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 963018426

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE 138113796 - but not eligible to recover VAT

Department: Material Flow Systems

Address: Altenkesseler Str. , 66115 Saarbruecken, Germany

Department address: Altenkesslerstr. Building A1, 66115 Saarbrücken, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.izes.de

Total budget: EUR 892 157.48

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 535 294.48

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 356 863.00

Landkreis Heidekreis

Name: Landkreis Heidekreis

Department: Fachgruppe 09.2 - Kreisentwicklung und Wirtschaft

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 903472745

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 358

Address: Vogteistraße, 29683 Bad Fallingbostel, Germany

Department address: Harburger Straße, 29614 Soltau, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.heidekreis.de

Total budget: EUR 147 672.89

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 88 603.73

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 069.16

Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)

Name: Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)

Department: Stabstelle Kreisentwicklung

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935859687

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40/201/03002

Address: Hopfengarten, 27356 Rotenburg (Wümme), Germany

Department address: Hopfengarten, 27356 Rotenburg (Wümme), Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.ll-row.de

Total budget: EUR 158 275.18

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 94 965.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 63 310.08

Teagasc

Name: Teagasc

Department: Crop science department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999466952

Partner’s ID if not PIC: x | 0650202O

Address: Oak Park , R93XE12 Carlow, Ireland

Department address: Oak Park , R93XE12 Carlow, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.teagasc.ie

Total budget: EUR 202 108.76

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 265.25

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 80 843.51

Niedersachsen Netzwerk Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioökonomie e.V.

Name: Niedersachsen Netzwerk Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioökonomie e.V.

Department: Biogas and nutrient recycling

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 933960427

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE283022690

Address: Kompaniestraße , 49757 Welte, Germany

Department address: Kompaniestraße , 49757 Welte, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.3-n.info

Total budget: EUR 426 220.69

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 255 732.41

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 170 488.28

eco:novis S.à r.l. Ingénieurs-Conseils

Name: eco:novis S.à r.l. Ingénieurs-Conseils

Department: Consulting Engineers

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 885156914

Partner’s ID if not PIC: TVA-ID: LU 27924653 | Registre de Commerce: B 199770

Address: Jos Seyler Strooss, 8522 Beckerich, Luxembourg

Department address: Jos Seyler Strooss, 8522 Beckerich, Luxembourg

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.econovis.lu

Total budget: EUR 407 090.62

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 244 254.37

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 162 836.25

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

University of Limerick

Name: University of Limerick

Department: Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences Biological Sciences; Kemmy Business School, Department of Economics, Department of Management & Marketing

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999809071

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE6609370G

Address: Plassey Park Road, V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland

Department address: Plassey Park Road, V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ul.ie

Total budget: EUR 718 632.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 431 179.44

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 287 452.96

South East Technological University

Name: South East Technological University

Department: Department of Applied Science, enviroCORE

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 886107126

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 3955104SH

Address: Kilkenny Road , R93 V960 Carlow , Ireland

Department address: Kilkenny Road , R93 V960 Carlow, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.setu.ie

Total budget: EUR 384 399.97

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 230 639.98

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 153 759.99

Nutriënten Management Instituut NMI bv

Name: Nutriënten Management Instituut NMI bv

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950361769

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL860773474B01 | Dutch Chamber of Commerce nr 76719235

Address: Nieuwe Kanaal , 6709 PA Wageningen, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.nmi-agro.nl

Total budget: EUR 439 344.64

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 263 606.78

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 175 737.86

Universiteit Gent

Name: Universiteit Gent

Department: Department of Green Chemistry & Technology, Lab for Resource Recovery in the Biobased Economy - RESOURCE

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999986096

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0248.015.142

Address: Sint-Pietersnieustraat , 9000 Gent, Belgium

Department address: Sint-Pietersnieustraat, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.ugent.be/bw/gct/en

Total budget: EUR 721 443.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 432 866.16

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 288 577.44

Inagro vzw

Name: Inagro vzw

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 957386218

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0417.474.241

Address: Ieperseweg, 8800 Rumbeke-Beitem (or Roeselare), Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.inagro.be

Total budget: EUR 529 897.06

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 317 938.23

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 211 958.83

Munster Technological University

Name: Munster Technological University

Department: Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructure Research Group.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 892106673

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 3714786EH

Address: Bishopstown , T12P928 Cork, Ireland

Department address: Bishopstown, T12P928 Cork, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.mtu.ie

Total budget: EUR 705 120.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 423 072.12

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 282 048.08

IMPACT vzw

Name: IMPACT vzw

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 891575501

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0759550580

Address: Biezeweg , 9230 Wetteren, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://researchimpacteu.com

Total budget: EUR 294 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 176 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 117 600.00

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million

Project name (EN): REcycling of NUtrients to close the fertiliser CYCLE

Project acronym: ReNu2Cycle

Project ID: NWE0100073

Project start date: 2023-07-01

Project end date: 2027-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Irish Nutrient Sustainability Platform (EN) | Under the Interreg NWE ReNu2Farm project, MTU was represented as a founding member. MTU will continue to liaise with the platform throughout the ReNu2Cycle project. The Irish Nutrient Sustainability Platform is founded on the principle that waste is a valuable resource of nutrients, energy and other high-value products. Its mission is to promote sustainable nutrient management on the island of Ireland in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda. The Platform seeks to enhance economic prosperity, whilst safeguarding the environment, by supporting the implementation of a nutrient circular and sustainable society, through stakeholder co-operation, value chain development, corporate responsibility, education, technological innovation, knowledge exchange and informing policy. (EN), ReNu2Farm , INTERREG V B NWE; 2017-2022 (EN) | Former research conducted by the ReNu2Farm consortium will be utilised in ReNu2Cycle as follows:
-Agro-ecological RDF basic research from fields & lab trials to establish field demonstrations. Knowledge on the efficiency and environmental impact from single type RDF will be utilised for creating RDF blends. After initial piloting in pot experiments blends will be rolled out in demonstrations at field scale after an open call for farmer participation.
-Nutrient demand maps generated through ReNu2Farm will be complemented by RDF availability maps, to help identify surplus supplies in some regions and to identify the self-sufficiency of NWE in terms of nutrients. They will also help to identify potential supply and demand issues along the supply change.
-RDF innovative technology inventory accumulated in ReNu2Farm is utilized in ReNu2Cycle to create new blended RDF solutions.
-End-users RDF acceptance survey & policy assessment from ReNu2Farm will be used as one aspect of the report on the social perspectives of RDF products and will be factored into the supply chain. Key aspects of the RDF surveys will be used to enhance our communication of the outputs from ReNu2Cycle.
-ReNu2Farm produced several policy feedback and recommendations, which will be followed up in the ReNu2Cycle. The relevant regulations are in the implementing and adaptation phase, and we will use expertise and contacts from ReNu2Farm to bring to the attention of the policy makers remaining barriers and solutions.
(EN), Phos4You, INTERREG V B NWE; 2016-2020 (EN) | Both MTU and UGent were involved with Phos4You which addressed the phosphorus challenge and the need to boost the use of secondary raw P. The project addressed rural, urban and port areas in NWE. P is needed in rural areas as fertiliser or feed additive (often produced in port areas). P is transferred within food to urban areas where 82% of NWE-citizens live in, and wasted there (via sewage and waste). Both MTU and UGent will bringing the learning & knowledge from the Phos4You project to the ReNu2Cycle project. Recovery of phosphorous from municipal wastewater streams. Capitalisation on phosphor RDF results and network. (EN), Systemic, EU Horizon, 2017-2021 (EN) |
Demonstrate the effective combination of anaerobic digestion with nutrient recovery and recycling technologies (TRL 7-8) for producing valuable fertilisers and soil amendments from EU’s most abundant bio waste streams (manure, sewage sludge and food waste) at five demonstration plants working in a different legal, commercial and agricultural context in five European countries.
Demonstrate the viability of the Circular Economy business cases at the demonstration plants and to translate these into business opportunities for another ten EU outreach locations
Provide plant operators and investors with a business development package for advancing the circular economy via the
(i) selection of nutrient recovery technologies to make different products,
(ii) economic performance and
(iii) environmental benefits
Derive applicable policy recommendations and innovation deals and to develop a road map to support the further roll-out of Circular Economy solutions for bio waste vaporisation in Europe (EN), NITROMAN, Interreg V Vlaanderen-Nederland; 2019-2022 (EN) | Focus on Ammonium Nitrogen Salts (RDF) from stripping-scrubbing of manure and mineral concentrate from membrane filtration and reverse osmosis (TRL 9) maturity. Capitalisation of cost-benefit and environmental analysis for N, K RDF. (EN), INTERREG V B NWE proposal SIMONE in Call 2 (P4, SO1.1) (EN) | 'Systemic Innovations at ON-farm Experimentations’. Capitalisation via adoption of innovative agro-ecological solutions by small & medium arable farmers. (EN), Novafert; HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-09, 2022-2025 (EN) | Novel procedures and sustainable guidelines to enhance the use of alternative fertilisers
NOVAFERT will orientate the production and the application of alternative fertilising products according to the best environmental performances. A regional approach, covering 7 EU regions and interlinking all main recovering technologies and products, will support the development of sustainable local value chains deploying alternative fertilising products. (EN), FER-PLAY (HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-09) (EN) | Full value chain data collection on alternative fertilisers from secondary raw materials, selection of most promising fertilisers undergoing full LSCA with many dissemination actions and a co-creation approach.
Capitalisation of the value chain data, assessments and co-creation network. (EN), GroenGas, EDR-Interreg-A; 2011-2013 (EN) | In the GroenGas project, alternative input substrates for biogas plants were tested with a special focus on sugar beets. In order to generate the closest possible cultivation of the areas and optimized beet yields, a wide range of fertilisation tests were carried out on a plot oil scale and in practical trials. Fertilisation was carried out with digestate. These results are available to ReNu2Cycle (EN), GroeneKaskade, EDR-Interreg-A; 01.06.2016 – 31.05.2019 (EN) | In the GroenGas project, many substrate alternatives for biogas production were tested experimentally and practically. In addition to the input substrate, the fermentation process was also optimised. In the project, the partner RWG-Emsland-Süd (associated partner in ReNu2Cycle) investigated different forms of treatment for pig slurry and ran a centrifuge from the company Huning for weeks on pig fattening barns. The samples were examined at the LUFA. RWG subsequently purchased a new centrifuge based on the results obtained in the project, made it mobile and used it as a contractor. These findings are available to ReNu2Cycle. (EN), Mest op Maat; Euregio-Interreg-A; 07.10.2015 - 30.06.2019 (EN) | The Mest op Maat project aimed to test very different treatment methods and separation techniques (press screw, centrifuge, vacuum separation) on different substrates (pig slurry, cattle slurry, digestate). For this purpose, large-scale tests were carried out during the project years and the individual phases (raw material, liquid and solid phase) were examined in laboratories. Experiments on ASL recovery were carried out on a laboratory scale and biological flocculants were tested. (EN), Increased use of farm manure in biogas plants; Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture of Lower Saxony; 01.03.2019 – 31.10.2020 (EN) | During the project period, biogas plants in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) were identified that wanted to realise a significant change towards more farm manure in their biogas plants. This undertaking was approached together with many authorities and institutions, so that legal and regulatory conditions and accompaniment were also given and respected. In order to be able to utilize these additional quantities in the biogas plants, not only the biogas plant operation was analysed in detail, but also the input material diaries were examined in detail. Also, almost 500 samples were taken from the input and output of the biogas plants, so that nutrient balances were possible. As a result, enormous data sets on nutrients in the quantitative and qualitative sense are available. Also the press screws installed on the biogas plants and a mobile press screw from the company Börger were sampled and analysed with regard to their separation performance. (EN), NährWert, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, 01.07.2021 – 30.06.2024 (EN) | The project partners have joined forces to reform the digestate management of biogas plants along the entire process chain. The aim is to combine scientifically based investigations with practical applications. This means from pot trials in the laboratory, to plot trials in cooperation with the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture, to practical trials in the field. The practical trials will also include alternative energy crops for biogas production. Perennial cropping systems and permanent crops such as grassland, wild plants, and volunteer silphia are of particular interest, as these have significantly longer and more flexible application times for the substrate. In concrete terms, this means comparatively testing processing methods with different fermentation products and supplementing them with promising innovative approaches in order to subsequently transfer these new technologies into practical suitability. Based on this, management strategies are to be developed in order to utilize especially the liquid retentates that are not worthy of transport in a cost-effective, nutrient-efficient and environmentally friendly manner close to the plant with low transport, spreading and storage costs. The fractions worthy of transport are to be specifically tested with regard to their use in market crop regions in order to derive advisory recommendations for receiving farms. (EN), NaProBio; Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture of Lower Saxony; 01.05.22 – 31.04.24 (EN) | The aim of this new project approach is now to further reduce the obstacles in the use of farm manure and to use new processes and techniques to highlight the advantages of this biogas substrate.
Biogas substrate through novel processes and techniques. New ways of adding value from the use of the gas will be explored, for example, via the production of CO2, or by special conditioning of the solid phase of the fermentation residue for use as a digestate for use as a peat substitute. Furthermore, the continuous sampling allows the feeding substrates can be better compared with the nutrient guide values.
In addition, after the fermentation process, the digestate should be analysed by NPK analysis. In particular, selected treatment processes at the participating biogas plants will be optimised and investigated more intensively with regard to nutrient separation in the solid and liquid phases with the aim of finding ways of utilising the resulting products (fertiliser, turf, etc.). (EN), PotatoBIO (EN) | UL based PhD project utilising RDFs from projects ReNu2Farm, Refertil and ReNu2Cycle for sustainable cultivation of potato crops. (EN), INEMAD (Improved Nutrient and Energy Management through Anaerobic Digestion), 2012 – 2015, seventh research framework program (EN) | Within the seventh research framework program, the project INEMAD in 2012 was one of the two starting points of cooperation of the ReNu2cycle consortium that is still lasting today. INEMAD concentrated on innovative strategies to reconnect livestock and crop production farming systems. In 2012, the acceptance of organic fertiliser by farmers needed improvement and techniques to spread fertilisers were not established yet. The organic fertilisers were evaluated in terms of LCA, micro- and macroeconomic evaluations. The project fostered good relationship between researchers and innovative farmers and other relevant stakeholders in regions all over Europe. Especially in Germany, IZES made first contacts to important biogas innovators such as the biogas network IBBK. In 2023 IBBK will organise the conference ‘Progress in Manure & Digestate Treatment’ and invited IZES to be a strategic partner. These long lasting networks will enable the dissemination activities with farmers and fertiliser traders in ReNu2cycle. Furthermore, all the maps, policy work and analytical work would be shared in ReNu2cycle. (EN), ARBOR (Accelerating Renewable Energies through Valorisation of Biogenic Organic Raw Material Improving sustainable biomass utilisation in North West Europe), 2011 – 2015, Interreg IV B (EN) | The Project ARBOR constitutes the second pillar of cooperation of the ReNu2cycle consortium. Within the project IZES fostered the use of organic residues in a circular economy approach. The ecological, economic and social assessment unveiled ecological and social strengths but also economic barriers and obstacles. These obstacles were mainly caused by different policies in the target countries. Missing links were (i) a coherent understanding of sustainable processes, (ii) a coherent legal framework to allow cross border activities and (iii) knowledge of responsible stakeholders. Nevertheless, expertise on waste management in the field of fertiliser was introduced among the network partners in order to foster cradle to cradle concepts. As an example, one of the fruitful cooperation from ARBOR is between IZES and the Saarland waste management association EVS, which is another strategic partner in ReNu2cycle. EVS built an Pyrolysis plant in order to produce fertiliser but faces a number of challenges concerning acceptance and legal allowance to use the coal from pyrolysis as a fertiliser. Therefore, all these projects induced a fruitful cooperation between the regional farmers, their association with waste management organisations. The findings from ARBOR and INEMAD have been issued in the next projects Perséphone (Interreg A) and ReNu2farm (Interreg B) and are also basis for ReNu2cycle. (EN), Perséphone - Production d‘Energie RenouvelableS, Engrais et Produits Harmonieux d‘Origines NaturElles – Integration of biogas in the field of bioeconomy, 2016 – 2019, Interreg A La Grande Région (EN) | The regions Luxemburg, Wallonia, Lorraine, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate constitute the Interreg A region “La Grande Région” which is part of Interreg B region NWE. Based on the experience and on the network of two former EU projects, IZES and 14 regional partners worked on a bioeconomic network based on biogas in order to implement all the findings from the EU-level projects on regional level. One of the bioeconomic approaches was the evaluation of income for the farmers from the digestate. Field trials on the farmers land were undertaken to demonstrate the opportunities. Within the project, the network with the authorities in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, but also on the German Federal level was deepened, so that IZES is connected with all the agricultural and environmental ministries as well as the agricultural associations. These administrative partners are looking forward to work with us again in ReNu2cycle. One among them is the “Düngeberatung Rheinland-Pfalz” as a state organised institution for fertiliser advising. Being a strategic partner in Perséphone, ReNu2cycle benefits from their implementing knowledge on the ground and their deep understanding in policy discussions. (EN), TRANSBIO - Transferarbeitsgruppe für Bioenergieanlagen im zukünftigen Energiesystem – transfer working group for bioenergy plants in future energy systems (2021 – 2023), financed by German FNR under the umbrella of the ministry for agriculture (EN) | The findings about financial incomes from digestate (Perséphone) were of interest for the German ministry for agriculture. So, one part of the project TRANSBIO was the opportunity for biogas installations to refinance the operational costs partly from digestate. In the project, findings from ReNu2farm were shared in a German community of end users and producers of organic fertiliser. In TRANSBIO project, IZES has also – again – partnering up with leading German bioeconomy institutions like DBFZ or KTBL. These institutions also have access to open access databases in different fields of bioeconomy which can be used. And both institutions are organising leading conferences in the field of bioeconomy including organic fertiliser. That is, we can channel part of our dissemination activities in Germany through them. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 6 026 363.49

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 3 615 818.05

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 3 615 818.05. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Development of a methodology to establish Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) supplies
Report on regional supply of RDFs & nutrient self-sufficiency of rural NWE from recycled sources
Mapping of regional supply of Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) and N, P & K nutrients in NWE
Understanding the supply chain - linking supply with demand
Convene ReNu2Cycle living lab supply chain fora
Developing a methodology to determine sustainability of Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) products
Report on the social perspectives of RDF products
Economic assessment of RDFs in the current context of rising energy & mineral fertiliser cost
For long-term impact, develop a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and associate inventory of RDF products
Report on the sustainability assessment of RDF products
Report on Legal framework evaluation for RDF products at EU and national level.
Report on legal conformity of the RDF
Workshops/webinars/conferences at LL demos (WP2) and other fora
Infographic on Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) supply maps
Infographic on taxonomy of Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) to bridge the knowledge gap
Factsheets on the sustainability of Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) products
Mapping on how Recycling Derived Fertilizer (RDF) products comply with sustainable development goals
Book of Supply Chain Success Stories
Factsheets on the legal prerequisites at EU and country level on the different RDFs
Launching event at ESNI
Mid-term international event
Final event
Pre-blending Analysis of Recycling-derived fertilizers (RDF)
Pot and micro-plot trials on optimal composition of fertilizers
Agricultural demonstration of Recycling-derived fertilizers (RDF) application under field conditions
Soil ecological & water assessment of field demonstrations for Recycling-derived fertilizers (RDF)
Blend efficiency testing & analytical crop assessment 
Support tools for blended Recycling-derived fertilizers (RDF) 
Living Lab initiation through co-creation with project partners
Regional Living Lab implementation framework
Evaluation of Living Lab Implementation
Communicate findings to stakeholders
Disseminate pilot/demonstration results
Policy briefs at the national level and EU level.
Policy Workshops
RDF Business Model Innovation (BMI) framework
Agricultural user groups
D3.3.3. Market Design and Development
Nutrient Platform structures
Nutrient action plan
Co-creation of new or progressive regional nutrient platforms
Communication and dissemination plan

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-05-12

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

739 / 739 (100%)

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REcycling of NUtrients to close the fertiliser CYCLE

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Partners (13)

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Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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