USEOF BY-PRODUCTS AS SYSTEM INNOVATION: GENESYS
CLOSING CYCLES THROUGH COMPOSTING
Jarinda Viaene (1), B. Reubens (1), B. Vandecasteele(1), K. Willekens(1), S. De Neve(2)
(1) Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Plant Sciences Unit, Merelbeke, Belgium
(2) Ghent University, Department of Soil Management, Ghent, Belgium
Introduction
Currently, the applications of by-products and waste from the agricultural, fisheries and nature sectors and their related processing industries usuallyhave a lowvalue. Nevertheless, many of these fractions could be used in higher value applications, which mightlead to more efficient use of the basic resources. Further, better closure of cycles of resource usewould help to prevent exhaustion of the soil, which lies at the basis of bio-based production.
Objectives
One of the four research lines in the innovative, transdisciplinary GeNeSys project focuses on the possibilities of valorizing biological by-products and waste through composting.The aim is to develop qualitatively outstanding, economically feasible compost products valuable for various applications in agriculture and horticulture in Flanders. Composting can reuse part of the biomass tocreate, maintain and improve soil fertility.Optimizing the composting process and quality is challenging because the diversity and availability of feedstock materials and the composting circumstances lead to differences in compost quality. Cost efficiency, logistical and institutional limitations are also considered and optimized.
Research strategy
The project has a double-loop process: after the objectives are fine-tuned during the first loop,the system is upscaled during the second loop. Initially the current situation, problems and opportunities related to composting and application ofcompost products in Flanders are evaluated. We cooperate with the nature-management sector, among others, to assure carbon-rich feedstock materials. Compost experiments with different feedstock materials are performed at the farm level and in industrial installations. Feedstock materials and composts areanalyzed for chemical/physical and biological characteristics.The by-products with the highest valorization potential will be selected based on scientific/technological and socio-economic criteria. The second cycle focuses onthe valorization pathway of these by-products in more detail. We assess the effects of the different composts on questions related tosoil quality, crop growth and soil health, among others. External stakeholders (farmers, horticulturists, scientists, policymakers, etc.) are intensely involved to ensure the development of relevant, scientifically supported andeconomically feasible and socially acceptable solutions for valorizing agrofood and fisheries by-products.