The RUSTICA project has released a series of nine new videos capturing key moments from its Final Conference, held in Leuven, Belgium.
RUSTICA Final Conference delivers key insights on Bio-Based Fertilisers and future collaborations
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…
Successful RUSTICA Global Workshop sets the stage for the future of circular Bio-Based Fertilisers
The RUSTICA global workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the globe to discuss the future of circular bio-based fertilisers.
RUSTICA presented at VENICE2024 Symposium on agro-industrial waste
The RUSTICA project showcased its innovative solutions at the “From Waste to Wealth” workshop held at the VENICE2024 Symposium.
RUSTICA Project Presented at the AnaEE Science Conference 2024
From October 8th to 10th, 2024, the RUSTICA Project was represented at the first AnaEE Science Conference, themed “Ecosystems under pressure: The role of experimentation”
RUSTICA project presented at DeSIRA Connect Days in Bogotá, Colombia
The RUSTICA project was featured at the DeSIRA Connect Days, which took place from 25th to 27th June 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia.
RUSTICA Global Workshop: “Roadmap for circular Bio-Based Fertilisers: bridging innovation and market adoption”
The RUSTICA Global Workshop aims to gather experts to discuss the project’s achievements, challenges, and future directions in bio-based fertilisers, fostering valuable dialogue between research, policy, and industry sectors.
RUSTICA Final Conference: “From research to practice: implementing circular bio-based fertilisers”
The Final Conference will mark the closure of the project and the commencement of the dissemination and exploitation of results.
RUSTICA launches new Virtual Exhibition section on website
RUSTICA is announcing the launch of a new Virtual Exhibition section on its website. This initiative aims to provide an engaging and informative platform to showcase the innovative work being carried out by the RUSTICA project.
Dr. Erika Ronchin and Dr. Claudio Mondini represent RUSTICA at IUSS 2024 in Florence
This landmark event brought together leading soil scientists from around the globe to discuss advancements and challenges in soil science.
RUSTICA project meeting held in Angers
The RUSTICA Project held its eighth project meeting at the scenic Terra Botanica Park and the Chamber of Agriculture Pays de la Loire in Angers, France.
RUSTICA engages in successful Networking Event at NERM Conference 2024
The recent networking event organized by the FER-PLAY project at the NERM Conference 2024 was a resounding success.
Nutrient in Europe Research Meeting (NERM) paves the way for sustainable nutrient cycles
The Nutrient in Europe Research Meeting (NERM), a pivotal event uniting the efforts of five project consortia – Fertimanure, Lex4Bio, Rustica, Sea2Land, and Walnut.
Regional workshop advances formalisation of organic fertilizer chain in Valle del Cauca, Colombia
During its fourth regional workshop, the RUSTICA project in Valle del Cauca has made significant progress towards formalizing the region’s first organic fertilizer chain.
TNO’s Rian Visser pioneers clean carbon solutions
In a groundbreaking endeavor towards sustainable carbon solutions, Rian Visser has been leading innovative research at TNO, the Dutch organization for applied scientific research.
Visiting researcher Erika De Keyser collaborates with Alliance Bioversity & CIAT on fertiliser economics research
Guillermo Peña Chipatecua and his team at the Alliance Bioversity & CIAT extend a warm welcome to visiting researcher Erika De Keyser, who is joining them from January to March 2024.
RUSTICA visit to Biobest and the Centre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry
On the 10th and 11th of January 2024, the RUSTICA consortium organized a visit to Biobest and the Centre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry of Thomas More.
RUSTICA project holds review meeting in Pays de la Loire
In response to farmers’ demonstrations causing logistical challenges, an anticipated in-person meeting in Angers was swiftly reorganized online, ensuring seamless participation.
RUSTICA unveils innovative solutions in Vegepolys Valley conference
RUSTICA partner Céline Marjolet from the Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire presented the Rustica project during an online conference.
Valle del Cauca workshop advocates circular economy for sustainable agriculture
The agricultural community gathered at the “El Rosal” nursery in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca, for a pivotal workshop aiming to promote sustainable agricultural practices and embrace circular economy principles.
Flemish stakeholders workshop on RUSTICA project calls for external validation
Despite efforts to convene stakeholders for the RUSTICA project workshop in Flanders, organizers faced a setback with a significantly lower turnout than anticipated.
Stakeholders forge path to sustainable agriculture in Almeria
Leaders and experts convened in Almeria for the fifth Spanish workshop of the RUSTICA project, organized by C.T. TECNOVA.
Rustica workshop unites stakeholders in pursuit of bio-based fertilizer innovation in Friuli Venezia Giulia
The Rustica project workshop brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and strategies in bio-based fertilizers.
RUSTICA conducts new cross-visits in Madrid
The RUSTICA partners explore Madrid Science Park Foundation and Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL) in cross-visit to Madrid.
The RUSTICA partners meet in Madrid for a seventh round of meetings
RUSTICA consortium has once again come together for an update and exchange of expertise, concluding its seventh round of meetings in Madrid, spanning from 9th to 11th October.
RUSTICA showcases groundbreaking upcycling at RAMIRAN 2023
RUSTICA project showcases innovative upcycling of fruit and vegetable waste for bio-based fertilizer blends at RAMIRAN conference.
Stakeholders convene to advance strategic planning for bio-based fertiliser chain in Valle del Cauca
In an effort to promote sustainable agricultural practices, stakeholders gathered to review and provide feedback on the strategic planning process for the bio-based fertiliser chain in Valle del Cauca.
Interview with Guillermo Peña by Tessa Avermaete (Podcast)
These institutes deliver research-based solutions that address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Rustica family farm visits
Last week, we welcomed Guillermo Pena in Leuven. Guillermo is researcher at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
Stakeholders meets for strategic advancements in bio-based fertiliser initiatives in Friuli Venezia Giulia
A dynamic gathering of 19 participants, including 9 stakeholders, marked a pivotal workshop aimed at advancing bio-based fertilizer (BBF) initiatives in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
4th regional workshop in Pays de la Loire advances business models for sustainable agriculture
In a concerted effort to bolster sustainable agriculture, the focal point of the key stakeholders gathering was to propel forward business models tailored for RUSTICA.
Exchanging thoughts on business model development for novel agri-food technologies
Between the 8th and the 10th of May, the first RUSTICA cross-visit took place in Ghent, Belgium.
Flanders hosts 4th stakeholder workshop on sustainable agriculture
Stakeholders gathered in Flanders for the 4th Stakeholder Workshop in May 2023 as part of the ongoing Rustica project, aiming to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Oral presentation of RUSTICA at the international conference Ramiran 2023
The prestigious conference on the management of agricultural, urban and industrial waste in agriculture has accepted an abstract for an oral presentation to be given by Dr. Fien Amery.
1st RUSTICA cross-visit held in Flanders
During the last 2 years of the project the RUSTICA project will organise a series of cross visits open to regional stakeholders interested in learning more about RUSTICA and its pilots.
“A typology of sustainable circular business models with applications in the bioeconomy”
The scientific publication developed by KU Leuven PhD student Erika De Keyser and Dr. Erik Mathijs presents an approach towards sustainable development through the development of circular business models that integrate environmental, social and economic dimensions.
What is biochar and what are the main parameters affecting its quality?
TNO is the partner responsible in RUSTICA project for producing biochar as a key building block for the production of a biobased fertilizer. In the following Dr. Rian Visser explains the main findings of her activities in the RUSTICA project.
Second RUSTICA international workshop at Cali, Colombia
The workshop took place on 18, 19 and 20 of April at the Palmira campus of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (RUSTICA project partner).
Rustica meets german bioeconomy
A broad spectrum of activities and progress of the Bioeconomy in Germany was presented by high-level experts on the seminar “Industrielle Bioeconomy”, thereby focusing on resource efficient production concepts which will not only be a competitive advantage but also a factor of reliable supply chains in the future.
Waste or Value? Transforming industrial waste into by-products
Seminar dedicated to companies to illustrate technically how to valorise industrial waste by transforming it into by-products. Conducted in hybrid mode in presence and online, with 190 participants.
Stakeholders convene for 3rd regional workshop in Pays de la Loire on sustainable agriculture
The workshop commenced with a warm welcome and a round table session, allowing participants to introduce themselves and their roles within the BBF value chain.
Farming in Flanders: Does size matter?
University Press Leuven kicked off the year with the publication of a book on the future of farming in Flanders. As all across Europe and beyond Europe’s borders, there are lively debates in Flanders on how to move towards more sustainable farming systems.
The presentation of Fien Amery at the international workshop EUVRIN in the magazine “Land Info by Baden-Württemberg”.
The presentation of Fien Amery at the international workshop EUVRIN has led to the presentation of the RUSTICA project in the magazine “Land Info by Baden-Württemberg”.
Regional workshop on sustainable agriculture in Friuli Venezia Giulia facilitates collaborative solutions
The workshop began with welcoming remarks from the Knowledge Brokers of Friuli Venezia Giulia, setting a conducive tone and paving the way for fruitful discussions.
Exploring Synergies and Exchanging Experiences in Valencia
On the 30th of November and 1st of December, Tessa Avermaete (KU Leuven, project manager COCOREADO and RUSTICA) and Dioni Ortiz (project coordinator Visionary) met at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).
Regional workshop on sustainable agriculture and business models in Valle de Cauca, Colombia
The workshop kicked off with an engaging ice-breaker activity, during which participants enthusiastically shared insights into their ongoing project-related activities. Discussions ranged from recent developments in blends to progress updates on pilot plants and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA).
3rd regional workshop in Flanders on the 7th of November 2022
Flanders was the first RUSTICA region to organise the 3rd multi-stakeholder workshop with 14 attendees involved in different parts of the bio-based fertiliser (BBF) value chain including farmers associations, policy makers, research institutes, and waste stream managing companies.
Fifth RUSTICA project meeting
Liesbet Vranken, Tessa Avermaete and Margo Heremans (KULeuven), coordinators of the project, welcomed the participants and presented the objectives of the meeting.
RUSTICA – 2nd regional workshops
In May and June 2022, the second round of RUSTICA-workshops were organized in the 5 partnering regions: Flanders (Belgium), Pays de la Loire (France), Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy), Almería (Spain) and Valle del Cauca (Colombia).
Better policies for Urban Farming
The European Forum on Urban Agriculture (EFUA) organized on the 21st of June 2022 a policy talk in Brussels on better policies for urban farming. Experts with very diverse backgrounds reflected on bottlenecks and opportunities in current policies.
Debate on the Future of European Agriculture
Food and farming have become popular topics for debates and events. That’s an evolution we should embrace. Food is so much more than a basic need. Food determines to a large extent our wellbeing and it has a high cultural value.
Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture des Pays de la Loire newsletter
Rustica les nouvelles 062022
Potential for bio-based fertilisers in regional food systems
KU Leuven, Rikolto and CIAT bundled forces to organise a workshop on the circular bioeconomy and food-smart cities. The workshop took place on the 18th of May, at the Irish College in Leuven.
LAST CALL! Bio-based fertilisers online survey
Are you an agricultural producer or advisor? Do you know anyone active in farming? Participate with us in an online survey to unleash the potential of bio-based fertilisers.
Launch of the 1st DigiPrime Open Call
The Open Call provides up to 100.000 euros funding for proposals submitted by one SME and up to 150.000 euros for a consortium.
Circularity and sustainability: learning from other sectors
The RUSTICA consortium focuses on making the food system more sustainable through closing nutrient cycles in the agro-food chain.
The RUSTICA project at the Science Day of the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT
On March 14, 2022, the event “The Science of the Future for the Transformation of Food, Land, and Water Systems took place at the Americas hub of The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Colombia.
Jornada de Innovación de la Alianza Bioversity International & CIAT
El 14 de marzo de 2022 se llevó a cabo la Jornada de Innovación: La Ciencia del Futuro para la Transformación de los Sistemas Alimentarios, de la Tierra y del Agua, en el marco de la inauguración del nuevo banco de semillas “Semillas del futuro”, en la sede regional para las Américas de la Alianza Bioversity International & CIAT.
A straight way to circular economy
Resources all around the world are depleting rapidly. Just like the fossil fuels, the nutrients in our agricultural lands are decreasing. Meaning our lands will produce less and less food while the global population keeps growing Besides the negative economic tendence, the use of these fossil fuels aids climate change.
Coming up: Round 2 of regional RUSTICA workshops!
About six months ago, the first round of regional workshops in the five RUSTICA regions – Almeria, Flanders, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Pays de la Loire, Valle del Cauca – were organised.
Why Electrodialysis is Important to Design the RUSTICA Bio-based Fertilizer
Electrodialysis (ED), as highlighted in Fig.1 is one of the competitive membrane-based technologies for separating NPKs and Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) from fermented food wastes.
Moving from market analysis to the emergence of RUSTICA multi-actor circular business models
RUSTICA project uses a multi-actor approach in which 5 multi-actor networks will be set up in 5 regions (Flanders, Pays de la Loire, Almeria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Valle del Cauca (Colombia)) with the aim of co-developing practical circular business models for bio-based fertilizer production from vegetable and fruit waste.
Why is RUSTICA a multi-actor project? What is the sense of all these efforts in stakeholder engagement?
RUSTICA project is designed to systematically engage with the regional stakeholders. This engagement is formalized in a series of regional workshops planned every six months starting from month 12 of the project.
Organic residues recycling in agriculture
Soil organic matter (SOM) is one of the most important components of soil as it influences virtually all the properties of soil that control agricultural and environmental functions.
Stakeholders workshop in Pays de la Loire on 21st of October of 2021
On 21st of October of 2021 took place the first regional stakeholders workshop in Pays de la Loire. The workshop was hosted by ESA d’Angers, an agronomic engineer school based in Angers.
Social challenges affecting bio-based fertilisers implementation
Climate change and resources depletion are urging agriculture players to boost a real change, from the grounds, fostering the use of bio-based solutions for crop nutrient management and pest control among others.
Stakeholders workshop in Valle del Cauca region (Colombia)
On 5th of November took placed an stakeholders workshop in the frame of RUSTICA project in Valle del Cauca region. In the following lines you will see how the workshop was organized.
The first workshop of RUSTICA project in Spain took place in Almería
Tecnova counts on the presence of 10 stakeholders of the Rustica project to obtain bio-based fertilisers from organic fruit and vegetable waste.
Productive RUSTICA project meeting and inspiring field visits in Almeria
The RUSTICA project started in January 2021, with as key objective research on the processing of fruit and vegetable waste into bio-based fertilizers. Due to the Covid crisis, the consortium could not have any live meeting so far. But last week, finally, a real project meeting took place in Almeria.
Carboxilic Acid Platform (CAP) as starting point for a bio-based fertilizer
The current fertilizers are made using exhaustible resources, which have a negative impact on our climate. For example, phosphor and nitrogen are extracted from fossil raw materials or by using a big amount of energy derived from fossil fuels.
A typology of sustainable circular business models
As an approach to sustainable development, circular business models are increasingly being developed. However, many circular business models focus on environmental or technological contributions to sustainability rather than considering all dimensions of sustainability simultaneously.
1st Regional RUSTICA workshop in Friuli Venezia Giulia on the 28th of October 2021
Friuli Venezia Giulia was the third RUSTICA Region to organise a multi-stakeholder’s workshop with about 15 attendees involved in different parts of the BBF (bio-based fertiliser) value chain including farmers associations, professional orders, policymakers, technical and environmental agencies, and research organisations.
Insects, food waste and fertilizers
The use of insects in bio-factories is making it possible to convert organic matter into high quality products, such as proteins for animal and human food. In the case of the agri-food industry, we see how their use is being consolidated both in the treatment of water purification and in the generation of substrates for crop fertilisation.
1st Regional RUSTICA workshop in Flanders on the 18th of October 2021!
Flanders was the first RUSTICA region to organise a multi-stakeholder workshop with about 20 attendees involved in different parts of the bio-based fertiliser (BBF) value chain including farmers association, fertiliser companies, technology providers, policymakers and research organisations.
Circular bioeconomy and how this will benefit the RUSTICA project
The circular bioeconomy covers many sectors with different interests and goals – agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food production, pulp, and paper production, as well as parts of the chemical, biotechnological, and energy industries, policy domains, and stakeholders with different interests and goals.
SME Avecom, one of the technology providers for the RUSTICA project
Within the Rustica project, the SME Avecom is one of the technology providers, responsible for the production of microbial protein (MP) from CAP waters. The protein-rich dried biomass is used as a building block for organic fertilizers.
Bundling forces across projects to develop an online course on business models in farming
KU Leuven, ILVO, Rikolto, Odissee Hogeschool and the Fachhochschule Südwestfalen bundle their forces in the development of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Business Models for Sustainable Farming.
Who is BioSabor?
BioSabor S.A.T. is an ecological fruit and vegetable company located in the southeast of Spain. We are in the province of Almería next to Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
How their expertise will be beneficial to the project!
The expertise of the Particle and Interfacial Technology (PaInT) research group at Ghent University is related to the selective separation of these nutrients from the carboxylic-rich solution.
The RUSTICA project continues its outreach in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, one of the 5 focal regions of this international project
Using a multisectoral approach, this initiative is moving forward in the formation of its multi-stakeholder platform, conceived as a collaborative space for co-creation and knowledge exchange in the regional context.
Socio-economic aspects of agriculture and the food sector and how they will be able to help the project advance in its research
In the coming years, humanity will have to face one of the most demanding challenges in history which are to slow down and possibly reverse the process of ecosystem deterioration caused by anthropogenic activities.
The RUSTICA European Project, what interests for farmers?
In Pays de la Loire region, RUSTICA project will take place in one of the 17 National Gross Market infrastructures (Marché d’Intérêt National or “MIN”), in the city of Angers. Here, tons of waste are generated each year by unsold fruits and vegetables.
Get involved! Different ways to be part of RUSTICA Project…
The main method of involvement will be through workshops. For each region, at least six workshops with a minimum of 10 participants will be organised in the course of the coming four years (2021-2024).
What is the technology behind the RUSTICA project?
Inge De Bo and Jef Van de Poel are responsible for the project technical management of RUSTICA. Inge holds a Ph.D in Applied Biological Sciences and does research related to the biological optimization of the carboxylic acid platform (CAP).
A Plan for an Innovative Solution to Organic Waste!
Since global environmental issues proliferated the mainstream public discourse, there have been plenty of incredible innovative inventions and technological solutions that changed the way we live now.
RUSTICA project, a successful beginning
Tessa Avermaete and Margo Heremans are responsible for the project management of RUSTICA. Tessa holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and is an expert in managing European consortia at the division of bioeconomics.
RUSTICA, un proyecto que le apuesta al uso de fertilizantes de base biológica para una agricultura circular
“This initiative will offer technological solutions to convert agri-food waste into innovative, high-quality organic fertilizers that meet the needs of modern agriculture… ” A blog by one of our partners, CIAT, wrote how the project started and how the technology can advance bio-based fertilizers for circular agriculture.
It’s Earth Day, Time to Introduce This New Exciting Project!
This day is about empowering and expanding the environmental movement. As the health and wellbeing of every human being are closely interlinked with the health of our planet, fighting climate change requires persistent action on many levels.
New EU-funded project aimed at mineral nutrient recovery is underway
We are pleased to announce the signing of the RUSTICA project where through a transdisciplinary multi-actor approach, we aim to validate, demonstrate and integrate six technological options for mineral nutrient recovery from fruit and vegetable waste streams in multi-valorisation configurations across 4 regions in the European Union.
