RUSTICA Final Conference delivers key insights on Bio-Based Fertilisers and future collaborations

The RUSTICA Final Conference successfully concluded four years of research in Leuven, Belgium, presenting technical, market, and regulatory outcomes, and sparking meaningful discussions on the future of bio-based fertilisers.

On 27^th November, the RUSTICA consortium hosted its final conference titled “From research to practice: Implementing circular bio-based fertilisers” at the Irish College in Leuven, drawing over 60 participants to celebrate the results of the four-year project. The conference, focused on the development of bio-based fertilisers, featured presentations on the project’s technical innovations, market insights, and the legal and regulatory challenges facing the industry. A key highlight was a talk by Benjamin Van Doorselaer from DG AGRI, who reiterated the European Commission’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of bio-based fertilisers in the EU.

The event also facilitated an engaging dialogue, with external experts actively participating in Q&A sessions and contributing to dynamic discussions during breaks. This collaborative atmosphere helped strengthen the connections between stakeholders in the bio-based fertiliser sector, reinforcing the need for continued cooperation and knowledge exchange. For those unable to attend in person, the live stream of the conference was made available, providing global access to a wider audience.

The RUSTICA consortium looks forward to future collaboration opportunities and extends its gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions throughout the project. Additionally, reports on the RUSTICA project can be found on the official website and on EU Farmbook, the platform dedicated to promoting knowledge exchange among all AKIS actors in the European Union.”