Algae to Value: wastewater turns into a benefit for agriculture
The connection between the water cycle and agriculture has grown increasingly strong over the years, based on a straightforward principle
The connection between the water cycle and agriculture has grown increasingly strong over the years, based on a straightforward principle: critical raw materials recovered from wastewater treatment – such as phosphorus, which is predominantly imported from China – are redirected to the agricultural sector. Here, the formula (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) represents the three essential macro-elements that are vital for plant health and growth.
The project was implemented at the San Cesario sul Panaro wastewater treatment plant in the province of Modena, chosen for its ample space, which enabled the construction of two open-air vertical reactors. The initial results from batch tests show high removal rates of nitrogen and phosphorus (ranging from 60% to 100%) and biomass growth that varies depending on the technology used. These findings open up possibilities for further exploration of potential scale-ups with the aim of industrialising the project.
In the coming months, the monitoring of key parameters and variables will be intensified, also to support a circular vision with an eye on industrial-scale prospects.
Ongoing talks with several companies in the Emilia-Romagna agro-industrial sector are focused on assessing the potential for scaling up the project.
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