11 Innovative Nutrient Recycling Cases Has Been Prioritised for a Final Ranking

The initial selection was based on the assessment of environmental and climate impacts for those value chains that could passe some basic eligibility checks.

We were looking for value chains that have the main purpose of processing organic wastes into bio-based fertilisers (BBFs), and which are already being fully developed and used in practice, since the idea is that the most prospective cases can be subject to wider disseminated use in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) without needing further technological development. We did, however, also prioritise a few prospective cases that are in their final stages of development, and for which at least demo/test/reference or pilot plants exist, which can be visited, and which have delivered proof of technical performance. Some of the cases we received in response to our call were outside the above-mentioned scope, therefore not eligible.

The environmental assessment was sharply focusing on the nutrient recycling potential, since this is the whole idea of CiNURGi. We wish to prioritise and promote solutions that contribute maximally to reduce environmental pollution with nitrogen and phosphorus, whereas some waste processing technologies compromise that principle, which may be a surprise for some. However, we have prioritised a few solutions for handling wastewater, despite nutrient losses, since these are smaller than a baseline of a conventional practice.

Likewise, the climate impact assessment we made focuses on the greenhouse gas emission reduction potential. BBFs reduce the climate footprint of using chemical fertilisers, but they also contribute, to a smaller or larger degree, to greenhouse gas emissions, for instance via consumption of energy and loss of carbonaceous gases during the processing.

The 11 prioritised candidates and their cases are (in alphabetical order):

The process continues with ranking the cases according to already performed assessments, combined with additional evaluations of end-user acceptance of the resulting BBF, the market potential of the value chain and possible policy issues that could act as a barrier to a disseminated use of the solution, or vice-versa, promote this solution.

Eventually, the six highest ranked cases will automatically become candidates for the “Best Nutrient Recycling Award”, a competition intended to raise awareness among stakeholders about successful and cost-effective nutrient recycling solutions. The top-performing cases will be showcased at a European-level event planned for the end of the project.

Link to Film: Henning Lyngsø Foged, Organe Institute talks about the call and its purpose.

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