Projects with DARPA grant – Grups Operatius 2023

Participants: AGROPECUÀRIA CATALANA SCCL (Leader), CORPORACIÓN ALIMENTARIA GUISSONA SA (beneficiary), INNOVACC CLÚSTER CATALÀ DE LA CARN I LA PROTEÏNA ALTERNATIVA (coordinator), FERTILIZANTES DEL VALLE DEL EBRO SL (non-beneficiary), CT BETA – FUNDACIÓ UNIVERSITÀRIA BALMES (OPI).

Project summary

Livestock production plays a crucial role in food supply, but its environmental impact, particularly in terms of emissions and improper waste management, poses significant challenges. One of these challenges is finding business models that ensure continuity in the value chain of manure, valorizing its nutrient content while minimizing associated emissions and management costs.

Considering the current challenges, needs, and issues in the pig farming, agricultural, and fertilizer industries, the main goal of the MITIGA-FERT project is to design a sustainable business model (technically, economically, and environmentally) for the formulation and commercialization of fertilizers derived from manure treated with BATs. This primary goal involves more efficient manure management, mitigating emissions across its value chain and reducing the logistical costs associated with its management.

To successfully achieve the project's general goals, the following specific objectives are proposed:

• Assess the synergistic potential of ammonia emission mitigation by applying BATs, such as acidification and anaerobic digestion, in combination with urease inhibitor application, in sow and fattening pig farms.
• Evaluate the quality of manure generated through BATs and other techniques to mitigate ammonia emissions (acidification, anaerobic digestion, and urease inhibitor application).
• Design, implement, operate, and assess nutrient recovery and concentration technologies (at pilot scale) to generate high-quality raw materials from treated manure (through acidification, digestion, or urease inhibition) that meet the fertilizer industry's needs and market demands.
• Characterize the various raw materials derived from treated manure and identify the technologies and operational conditions with the highest potential for inclusion in sustainable business models.
• Evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental performance of implemented emission mitigation and nutrient concentration technologies.
• Design business models incorporating diverse logistical scenarios to add value to manure generated in regions with a high nutrient surplus and environmental pressure.

Action of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 co-financed by: