Processing technologies: Technologies, tools and recommended practices from NUTRI-KNOW's EIP-AGRI Operational Groups

The restrictions on nutrient application on the fields combined with the presence of intensive livestock, nutrient scarcity (e.g. phosphorus) and volatile prices for fossil-based mineral fertilisers drive farmers to invest in (nutrient) processing technologies. Processing technologies mainly refer to technologies used to process agricultural products to a better quality, or to treat agricultural waste for fertiliser production, energy generation or to mitigate their environmental impact. Examples of such technologies include anaerobic digestion, composting, solid-liquid separation, thermal drying, incineration, nitrification-denitrification etc.

The booklet gives an overview of decision support tools, technologies and recommended practices that are the outcomes of key EIP-AGRI Operational Groups. These groups and associated projects have focused on improving processing technologies to recover nutrients and provide knowledge about innovations and the advantages and challenges of adopting them.