Production, laboratory and field trials, and the legal framework – A technical workshop organized by the Interreg North-West Europe projects ReNu2Cycle and BioBoost-Pro
On October 5, 2026, the two Interreg North-West Europe projects, ReNu2Cycle and BioBoost-Pro, are hosting a expert workshop on the topic of nutrient recycling and organic fertilizers. The event aims to bring together stakeholders from academia, agriculture, industry, politics, and government to discuss innovative solutions for a sustainable and circular nutrient economy.
The workshop will focus on the production and application of recycled fertilizers, current results from field and pot trials, and experiences from the Living Labs of both projects. Successful practical examples from Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Belgium, and France, among others, will be presented. In addition, current political and regulatory developments—including the EU Fertilizer Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, FPR), phosphorus recovery, nitrogen recycling, and RENURE (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE)—as well as their significance for the future market introduction of recycled fertilizers will be examined.
In addition to expert presentations, the workshop is designed to provide plenty of opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and networking among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Together, participants will discuss opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions for the use of recycled nutrients in agriculture and provide impetus for the further development of a circular bioeconomy.
The event will be held bilingually in German and English with simultaneous interpretation. In addition to attending in person in Rotenburg, participants also have the option of joining online via Microsoft Teams. Participation in the event is free of charge. Registration is required by October 1, 2026.
The workshop is taking place as part of the Interreg North-West Europe projects ReNu2Cycle and BioBoost-Pro and is co-financed by the Interreg North-West Europe Program with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Key Figures
Date:
October 5, 2026
Venue:
Hotel Heidejäger Rotenburger Straße 62 27356 Rotenburg Deutschland or online via MS Teams
Registration fee:
free of charge
Program
09.00
Welcome and project presentations
Opening remarks Dr. Torsten Lühring | Erster Kreisrat, Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme) Dr. Marco Mohrmann, MdL | Spokesman on agriculture of the CDU state parliament faction of Lower Saxony Dr. Carolin Schneider | 3N Kompetenzzentrum e.V.
Project presentations
ReNu2Cycle Mari Chitashvili | IZES
BioBoost-Pro Arthur Libault | ULiège
National and European regulatory frameworks governing fertiliser legislation Karin Lambers | Düngebehörde/ Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony
10.00
From recycled nutrients to practical fertilisers
Findings from ReNu2Cycle Dr Joachim Pertagnol | IZES
Digestate-treatment for use in Hydroponics, algae production and as peat-substitute Sascha Hermus | 3N Kompetenzzentrum e.V.
Current status of nutrient extraction for hydroponic systems in the BioBoost-Pro project Arthur Libault | ULiège
Refining digestate through microbioms to a better nitrogen fertilizerTim Paulke | Nunos
12.00
Lunch break
13.00
The practical application of recycled fertilisers
Fertiliser production, certification and market launchThomas Karle and Lea Keller | NADU
Field and pot trials using struvite, ASS and more recycled fertilizerNils Kreykenbohm | Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)
Living Labs: Success stories from IrelandAnnmarie Ryan | UL (online)
BioBoost-Pro: Activities and preliminary results in Hydroponic-TrialsTom Gubbels | Botany
15.00
RENURE: Impact on surplus and deficit regions, experiences from the Netherlands/Flanders Laura van Schöll | NMI
15.30
Coffee break
16.00
Making phosphorus available – utilising soil potential in times of scarce phosphorus reserves Ulrich Völker | Karner Düngerproduktion GmbH
16.30
Interactive workshop: Market launch of recycled fertilisers Laura van Schöll | NMI Bernhard Wern | IZES
16.55
Keynote presentation: Qualitative assessment of barriers and possible solutions for RDF in horticulture (hydroponic systems) Karsten Wilhelm | IfaS (20 mins)
