PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Biogas is a key solution to combat global warming and to reduce dependency on non-sustainable energy resources. However, apart from the production of biogas, considerable volumes of digestate are generated as by-product mostly applied on the fields as fertiliser though having severe environmental impacts with varying outcomes such as GHG emissions, water polution, solid contamination. LIFE DIMITRA aims to improve sustainability of agricultural management practices by valorising biogas digestate for the production of higher value bio-based fertilisers. By advancing current state-of-the-art in the various aspects of sustainable digestate valorisation and management through diffusion and adoption of low-carbon technologies for biogas digestate will result to win-win benefits in climate change, crop yield and increased farm profitability. The proposed technological solutions will be demonstrated by the installation of 2 DEMOs in existing and operational AD plants (Greece & Italy). Digestate shall be transformed to different biobased fertilising formulations and validated and demonstrated at farm level. Business and exploitation plan will be developed preparing market entry of the demonstrated technological solutions. Detailed technical and financial deployment plans will be established for replicating the systems in the agrowaste sector, whereas the transferability potential in other promising economies (F&B sector) will be assessed. The development and operation of an open Knowledge Exchange Multi-Stakeholders' Platform throughout the project will support effective engagement and interaction with key target groups. Finally, the project will promote policy intervention through the development of evidence-based policy recommendations formulated for decision makers (EU, national & regional level) via a Policy Brief documentation and in parallel suggestions will be made for the revision of BAT Reference Document for Waste Treatment via the European IPPC Bureau.