Challenges, Solutions, and Policy Perspectives
Opening section
On June 27, 2025, the FENIX project joined forces with its sibling initiatives BIN2BEAN and bioSOILutions to host a thought-provoking webinar titled “Biowaste in the EU – What Can We Learn for EU Projects: Challenges, Solutions and Policy Perspectives.” Bringing together experts and stakeholders, the session explored the complex landscape of biowaste management in Europe and the role of EU-funded projects in driving innovation and policy change.
Content
The session began with an introduction from moderator Edoardo Nencetti, who set the tone by outlining the goals of the webinar: to discuss the definition, collection, and valorisation of biowaste for the production of circular fertilisers and soil improvers, and to place these efforts within the context of the evolving EU policy landscape. Aline Granjard, Policy Officer at the European Compost Network (ECN), introduced the FertiCovery project, highlighting its objectives and how it fits into broader EU ambitions for a sustainable, circular economy.
The webinar continued with three case studies. Cristiano Pisani (CETENMA) presented the Murcia Living Lab and the outcomes of the bioSOILutions and the HOOP projects. His talk focused on investment projects targeting the transformation of urban biowaste into valuable fertilisers, and what these projects reveal about policy and practical barriers on the ground.
Henning Friege (N³) shared some results from the BIN2BEAN project, specifically how the city’s biowaste collection and valorisation value chain operates under a differentiated fee system. His contribution shed light on the effectiveness of economic incentives in improving waste separation and supporting quality feedstock recovery.
The final presentation by Concetta Di Paolo (EUROFINS) explored regulatory pathways for biochar and digestates within circular agriculture. Drawing on the FENIX project, she demonstrated how aligning regulatory strategies early in R&D can ease market entry and support the goals of the Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. Her talk emphasized the importance of ensuring regulatory compliance from the outset to avoid downstream bottlenecks and unlock the full potential of bio-based fertilisers in sustainable agriculture.
Throughout the session, speakers underscored the significance of aligning project outcomes with EU policy priorities, such as the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the forthcoming Soil Health Law.
Interactive session
The session concluded with a lively interactive exchange among the speakers, touching on the policy, organisational, and communication challenges facing biowaste valorisation in Europe. One key topic was the enforcement of EU regulations across Member States and the lack of harmonisation that hinders the widespread adoption of circular fertilisers. Participants debated whether end-of-waste regulations, in their current form, create unjustified barriers for bio-based products, calling for a simplified and unified EU framework.
Economic instruments such as differentiated waste collection charges were also discussed. While they have proven effective in some cases, concerns were raised about the equity and practicality of identifying polluters in complex urban systems. The issue of how to communicate the value of compost and healthy soils to a wider public, particularly farmers, was also explored, with suggestions that clearer messaging and real-life testing environments could build trust and acceptance.
The discussion moved toward market uptake and the specific challenges that remain for alternative fertilisers. These include farmer scepticism regarding product composition, concerns over the use of animal by-products, cost competitiveness with conventional products, and nutrient content. Speakers highlighted the need for stronger demonstration activities, more extensive field trials, and the development of business cases tailored to farmers’ realities. Ultimately, the conversation reaffirmed that technical success must be paired with policy alignment, economic incentives, and stakeholder engagement to achieve real-world impact.
Closing
This webinar underscored the importance of cross-project collaboration in addressing systemic challenges related to biowaste. The organizers expressed interest in continuing this dialogue and exploring joint actions in future EU calls, reinforcing the role of research and innovation in Europe’s green transition.
If you missed the live session, the full recording is available on YouTube:
By: E. Knipping
Editorial: L. Salinas
August 2025
