Convert livestock manure into added value biobased feed and bioingredients for fertilisers

INTRODUCTION

Livestock is by far the main primary European sub sector responsible for NH₃ (~1.5Mt/y) and CH₄ (~166Mt/y) emissions. Despite many efforts in the past decades, current manure management and disposal on farmland as fertilizer still poses significant pollution problems such as soil degradation, eutrophication of surface waters and pollution of groundwater. A small-scale biorefinery could be used to convert livestock manure into seven types of biobased feed and fertilisers.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the ManuREfinery project is to develop a smart, modular, mobile and sustainable biorefinery to convert manure into zero-waste by maximising resource and nutrient recovery for feed and fertiliser bioingredients in rural areas. Detricon will supply an Ammonia Mining Unit to valorise the ammonia from the digestate into an ammonium fertiliser while also reducing the phosphor content in the digestate. The innovative technological solutions will be demonstrated on 4 farms (located in Spain, Romania and Slovenia) from the pig, cow and poultry sectors.

RESULTS

MANUREFINERY expects to have technological, social, regulatory, environmental, and economic impacts.

The specific expected outcomes are listed below:

Promoting new economically viable and environmentally sustainable business models for a successful green transition in primary production and rural areas in line with the European Green Deal objectives.
Deployment of sustainable, inclusive, and reliable bio-based value chains in rural areas with a focus on fair economic returns at the local (farm) level
Improved circularity and resource efficiency via practical application of the circular (bio)economy concept, e.g., by maximising the valorisation of residual biomass
Contribution to additional, diversified incomes and generational renewal in rural areas, with the potential for a multiplier effect when replicated across the EU
New skilled job opportunities and investments in the bio-based sectors in rural areas, particularly in regions with underdeveloped capacities, improved innovation capacities and product portfolio extension in primary production sectors and SME’s
Significant reduction of land use and other climate and environmental benefits
Efficient recycling of nutrients transportation and logistics costs reduction and overall enhanced circularity of nutrients cycles
Social acceptance of circular bio-based solutions and bioingredients