Generating sustainable, Responsible, Effective, and Eco-frieNdly delivery systems for fertilising products

GREEN will develop a suite of high-performance, affordable bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems (BBDS) for fertilisers, designed to improve nutrient use efficiency, promote soil health, reduce nutrient leaching, and eliminate microplastic pollution, which provids scalable, regulation-ready alternatives to replace fossil-based polymer-coated fertilisers for farmers.The project will create 20 multiscale BBDS based on coatings, porous scaffoldings, microencapsulations, and molecular complexes that are designed to deliver macro/micronutrients, protect microorganisms, and stabilise biostimulants respectively. They will be integrated into 10 modular systems adapted to wet and dry climates, which are optimised to 6 hierarchical end-products under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. The modular design enables synchronised nutrient release and integration of various actives, with adaptability to conventional and organic farming, as well as seed and plant protection. Pilot-scale trials will ensure compatibility with the existing manufacturing process, reducing transition barriers and targeting a ≤20% cost gap versus conventional fertilisers. Their performance will be validated through field trials, including organic farming.Guided by a customised Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework under the One Health concept, GREEN BBDS will undergo biodegradability tests in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, ensuring safety for ecosystems and food chains. Through a strong Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), GREEN will involve >100 farmers, cooperatives, and agronomists in co-creation, field validation, and training, building trust and ensuring regional relevance. The project will establish 3 bio-based value chains, supporting Europe’s climate neutrality, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution goals while contributing to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Farm-to-Fork Strategy, and the R&I Missions on Soil and Waters.