Overview

This technology provides the calibration of nutrient content of organic fertilizers bio-derived by anaerobic digestion treatment to obtain a N/P ratio corresponding to crop needs, and pelleting into fertilizers ready for application in specific crops such as orchards.

Our result

The technology improves the physical and mechanical properties of pellets produced from the solid fraction of digestate. Using a dedicated pellet laboratory machine, UNITO evaluated different bulking agents and additives to obtain pellets resistant to the mechanical stress generated during spreading operations.

The proposed system is based on the adaptation of the TECNOVIT Model CP150 spreader for precision applications in orchards. The machine features an 850 L hopper and a 2 m working width. Two internal screws transfer pellets from the hopper directly to anchoring devices, enabling soil incorporation and reducing nutrient losses compared to surface broadcasting.

The spreader integrates precision agriculture technologies, including an automatic flow control system and Variable Rate Application (VRA) supported by GPS and prescription maps, allowing real-time dose adjustment according to field conditions.

The research also optimized pellet production parameters, testing diameters from 2 to 8 mm and compression pressures between 3.5 and 5.0 MPa, before scaling up production at the Biogas Wipptal plant in Vipiteno, Italy.

Needs and target audiences

We are looking for

1) biodigestion companies that are interested to introduce the new technologies dealing with optimization of the biodigestate in the biodigestion plants

2) machinery companies that can introduce the new technologies in the systems for spreading pellets adapted to different crop systems

Policy relevance

The proposed technology can support future policy-making strategies aimed at sustainable nutrient management by demonstrating how digestate-derived pellets can be efficiently recovered and reused within agricultural systems. Through the integration of soil-incorporating spreading mechanisms, GPS-guided Variable Rate Application (VRA), and real-time dosage control, the system enables highly precise and site-specific nutrient distribution in orchard environments. This approach contributes to reducing ammonia volatilization, limiting nutrient leaching and runoff, improving nutrient use efficiency, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional fertilization practices, thereby supporting environmental protection and circular economy objectives.

Current stage

The Technology for spreading pellets is at the level of demonstration with system launch and Operations and is ready for market development

Unique value proposition

A TRL 8 precision spreading technology that transforms digestate into high-quality pellets and enables their site-specific soil incorporation through GPS-guided Variable Rate Application, improving nutrient recovery efficiency while reducing nutrient losses and environmental impacts in orchard systems.

Replicability

The pellet spreading machinery is highly replicable, as the adapted system can be integrated into existing agricultural spreaders and customized for different orchard layouts, crop systems, and precision farming applications, facilitating large-scale adoption in diverse agricultural contexts.

Sustainability

The technology is sustainable in the long term, as it is based on the recovery and valorization of digestate within a circular economy approach. The system combines scalable pellet production with precision spreading technologies, reducing nutrient losses, improving fertilizer efficiency, and lowering environmental impacts. Its adaptability to existing agricultural machinery and precision farming systems supports economic viability, operational scalability, and long-term adoption across different agricultural contexts.

Keywords

• plant nutrition
• nitrogen fertilisation
• greenhouse gases
• organic agriculture
• organic residues

Research project acronyms

• ECONUTRI

Research projects

• Innovative concepts and technologies for ECOlogically sustainable NUTRIent management in agriculture aiming to prevent, mitigate and eliminate pollution in soils, water and air

Project identifiers

• 101081858

Contributors

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO

Source: Horizon Results Platform