Project

REFERTIL - Improvement of comprehensive bio-waste transformation and nutrient recovery treatment processes for production of combined natural products

REFERTIL improves compost standardization and new standard development for biochar in the EU27, for safer, better, less costly and more environmental friendly utilization of the EU27 generated 150 M t/y plant/animal biomass waste streams.

refertil_logo.jpg

The improved output products are safe, economical, ecological and standardized compost and bio-char combined natural fertilizers and soil amendment agricultural products used by farmers. The added value and energy efficient transformation of urban organic waste, farm organic residues and food industrial by-product streams made by improved carbonization, biotechnological formulation and upgraded composting technologies, with particular attention to the recovery of nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen.

The targeted high quality output products aiming to reduce mineral fertilizers and intensive chemicals use in agriculture; enhancing the environmental, ecological and economical sustainability of food crop production; reducing the negative footprint of the cities and overall contributing to climate change mitigation. In this context the improved bio-waste treatment process opens new technical, economical, environmental and social improvement opportunities, while improving the use, effectiveness and safety of the resulting compost and bio-char products in agriculture.

The output products developed in a standardized way to meet all industrial, agricultural and environmental norms and stands in European dimension. Proactive and coherently integrated cooperation made between multi level stakeholder in Europe, with result oriented potential benefit to SMEs and farmers for more efficient utilization of the final products by the end-users.

The REFERTIL project is also providing a strong policy support for the European Commission (DG Industry & Enterprise) in the revision of the Fertiliser Regulation (Reg. EC No 2003/2003), and the possible inclusion of biochar - as organic fertilizer (ABC animal Bone biochar) and soil additive (plant based biochars).

Furthermore the REFERTIL project will support for policy makers for the revision of relevant policies, while setting up future common bio-waste recycling targets, common quality standard requirements for bio-waste treatment, compost and bio-char quality and trading requirements.

Objectives

  • The REFERTIL project will improve current compost treatment systems and develop zero emission biochar technologies at the industrial scale for safe and economic nutrient recovery processes.
  • Beyond the technological development the REFERTIL project also provides a strong policy support in the revision of the Fertiliser Regulation (Reg. EC No. 2003/2003) and possible inclusion of biochar - as organic fertiliser and soil additive.
  • The REFERTIL project will also define the improved compost and biochar quality and safety criteria and standards in the EU28 for safer, better, less costly and more environmental friendly utilization of the EU28 generated 150 M t/y plant/animal biomass waste streams.