Sustainable Iron and Phosphorus Fertilisation – SUSFERT project conclusion

14.02.2024

After a little more than five and a half years, the Horizon 2020/CBE JU project SUSFERT came to conclusion in December 2023. The project successfully developed novel bio-based fertilisers that aim to integrate fertiliser components and products into existing production processes and EU agricultural practices. In selected field trials over several years, SUSFERT demonstrated the effectiveness of its novel prototype components combining biodegradable coatings, probiotics, and struvite as a replacement for phosphorus and iron supply, as well as lignosulfonate-based nutrigels, evaluated the economic potential and sustainability of the tested products, ensured compliance with legal regulations and finally evaluating the potential for market entry.
A significant contribution to the SUSFERT project was made by Acies Bio, a key player in the field of biotechnology, which upgraded its fermentation facility to enable the production of rhodotorulic acid. This compound, a vital iron chelator used in sustainable iron fertilization, represents a major advancement in the project's aim to develop environmentally friendly agricultural inputs. By producing rhodotorulic acid, Acies Bio enhanced the project's ability to offer a sustainable solution for iron supply in agriculture, showcasing how biotechnological innovations can directly contribute to the development of sustainable and effective agricultural practices within the European Union.