Improved recycling of nutrients from animal manure

A major challenge for sustainable agriculture in areas with intensive animal production is surplus phosphorus (P) on farms. This surplus indicates poor resource utilization and risk for losses of P the surrounding environment. The project aims to improve the use of P in agriculture, which will reduce the environmental impact of animal production and provides opportunities for business development. We are studying a biogas plant as a node for optimizing the return of plant nutrients to farmland. If digestates are phase-separated and upgraded, the liquid nitrogen-rich fraction can be returned to nearby fields, while the solid P-rich fraction can be transported to fields further that are in need of P fertilizers. We collaborate with other projects at More biogas outside of Kalmar where pilot-scale separation technology is being tested. We carry out 1) Field studies of the plant nutritional value of the liquid fraction, also with the new method N2 applied which further increases the nitrogen content, 2) Scenarios for optimized return of NPK to land around and planned plant on Öland and 3) Development of method for optimized phosphorus return in regional scale.