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Digestate Biofertiliser – a Guide for Farmers and Regulators

Biofertilisers are fertilisers derived from anaerobic digestion of biodegradable organic materials. Through the processing of industrial and domestic food wastes, along with crop co-products, biofertilisers provide a valuable source of nutrients that support plant growth and enhance soil health. Across the world biofertilisers have been used extensively in agriculture and forestry for many years and within New Zealand the Digestate Biofertiliser Producer Accreditation Scheme has been established by the Bioenergy Association to ensure the production of safe, high quality, consistent biofertilisers that meet the legislative and high-performance requirements for fertilisers.

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Article

Digestate as Fertilizer

Agriculture is one of the fundamental economic sectors of any country. The variety of goods provided by agriculture ranges from food and animal feed to products for the industry and in recent years also increasingly for electricity, heat, and fuels based on energy crops.

However, modern agriculture should always focus on the responsible use of natural resources. Agriculture is thus facing the challenge of operating as efficiently, sustainably, and in a manner that is as environmentally friendly as possible. Agriculture must become more efficient in the coming years because agricultural land will have to feed more and more people, especially in view of global population development.

Responsible use of fertilizers plays a decisive role here in maintaining the production of agricultural productsm at a consistently high level. Global consumption of the most important fertilizers on the world market, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphate, has risen steadily over recent years. However, like any other raw material, themnatural sources of these fertilizers are finite. Experts predict a supply problem in the future, especially with regard to phosphorus reserves.

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Digestate_as_Fertilizer.pdf
Paper

Biogas Plant Operation: Digestate as the Valuable Product

Fertilization is essential for plant growth, and as mineral fertilizers become more expensive, digestate from biogas plants is becoming a valuable alternative. It can be applied directly to soil or processed into products like compost, biochar, or fertilizer pellets, all of which support healthy plant development. Research shows that digestate is effective both raw and processed, though more studies are needed to understand how different biogas feedstocks and processing methods affect its final quality and suitability for various soils and crops.

Biogas-Plant-Operation-Digestate-as-the-Valuable-Product.pdf

Unlocking Efficient Bio-Based Fertilisers for Soil Sustainability from Underutilised Side Streams

LANDFEED will focus on creating value from under-utilised waste from the agro-food industry, forestry, urban and natural waste, implementing circular and local solutions that allow waste to be valorised by placing it in a circular framework, and producing innovative biofertilisers to improve Europe’s self-sufficiency.

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101157636
Paper

Valorization of digestates from organic solid waste as fertilizers, soil improvers, and agricultural prebiotics: panorama and perspectives

Digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, is increasingly recognized as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Research shows it can enhance soil microbial biomass, nutrient availability, and plant performance without harming soil quality. However, untreated or poorly monitored digestates may contain contaminants—especially heavy metals—that pose environmental and health risks. While they can promote beneficial soil bacteria, strict quality control and post-treatment are essential. This review highlights their potential as fertilizers and soil enhancers, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations, particularly in regions like Latin America.

Valorization-of-digestates-from-organic-solid-waste-as-fertilizers.pdf