In October 2024 Munster Technological University a collaborative workshop at Teagasc Clonakilty Agricultural College, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and representatives from the bioeconomy sector, to explore the intersection of smart farming practices and the circular bioeconomy.
The ReNu2Cycle project focuses on cutting North-West Europe’s dependence on fossil-based fertilisers. By promoting recycled alternatives and sustainable farming, it tackles two big issues: reliance on imported NPK fertilisers tied to global markets and wasted nutrients from organic resources. It’s pushing for a shift from linear to circular agriculture. The SIMONE project also examines nutrient efficiency. The discussions explored how innovative bio-based solutions, such as recycling-derived fertilisers (RDF), could reshape the future of Irish agriculture.
Workshop Findings: Perspectives on Recycling Derived Fertilisers. The workshops gave participants a chance to dive into the challenges and opportunities of the growing Recycling Derived Fertilisers (RDF) market such as compost and digestate and moving away from synesthetic fertilisers. Discussions covered everything from production and farm application, to tackling supply chain issues like collection, delivery, consistency and local availability. Whilst benefits like improved soil health and enhanced sustainability were seen as important, others raised concerns about contamination risks, traceability, biosecurity, and overall reliability compared to synthetic fertilisers, showing the difficulties involved in closing the nutrient cycle loop.
Cost emerged as a significant issue among participants when it came to switching to recycled fertilisers, with affordability front and centre. Transport and maintenance costs were highlighted as barriers which raised concerns, along with questions about whether the sustainable alternatives would truly pay off for farmers. Convenience, another recurring issue, with challenges such as scarcity, transport logistics, and time constraints potentially slowing down development of the RDF market. The workshop made it clear that tailored strategies are key to support the transition to bio-based fertilisers in Irish agriculture.
Expanding the Discussion: Urban Green Waste and RDFs. Workshop participants also shared their thoughts on the supply chain, benefits, costs, concerns, and convenience related to using urban green waste for RDFs. Many of the same issues arose, highlighting the same challenges across resource streams. Despite this many saw the potential for urban green waste to boost sustainability goals, soil health improvements, and local community support, highlighting its role as a complementary bioeconomy resource.
These insights highlight the need to co-develop solutions with stakeholders along the value chain. Through the Living Lab process, the focus will remain on fostering long-term co-innovation and implementation support, to develop effective, sustainable strategies for nutrient recycling.
This event was organised by Interreg NWE projects ReNu2Cycle and SIMONE along with Horizon funded project MainstreamBIO.