This section brings together knowledge and results from EU-funded research and innovation projects on safe, biobased, and biodegradable in-soil and soil solutions for circular and sustainable crop production. It highlights collaborative efforts to overcome technical, systemic, and market-related challenges across the value chain.

The activities presented here are part of a broader knowledge-sharing initiative led by several projects. Together, these projects deliver on the following:

• Availability of safe, sustainable, by-design bio-based solutions aiming for zero waste and zero pollution, with reduced environmental impact on soil, biodiversity, and climate.
• Contribution to industrial competitiveness and resource independence of bio-based value chains in EU/EEA/EFTA countries and Associated Countries.
• Improved circularity and resource efficiency via practical application of the circular bioeconomy.
• Social acceptance of circular bio-based solutions and products.
• Innovative manufacturing processes to enable the safe biodegradation of bio-based materials and products according to the environmental conditions and time frame for specific applications.

Events

• Introduction to the SOUL project
• Introduction to the INSOIL project
• Introduction to the MAGICBIOMAT project

Project descriptions

INSOIL tackles agricultural plastic pollution by developing three families of fully bio-based, safe in-soil biodegradable products in the form of mulch films, plant guards and controlled-release fertilisers (CRFs), in order to replace widespread single-use plastics in crop production. These three product families will be based on sustainable PHA combined with tailored additives (MFCs, modified lignins), enabling for programmed biodegradation suited to specific climates and crops. They will be enriched with active bioproducts (organic NPK, biostimulants, bio-based PPPs) to enhance their functionality, value and adoption. INSOIL agriproducts will be field validated with end users (TRL8) across relevant vegetables and fruit trees in Southern and Northern Europe.

SOUL develops novel, biodegradable materials with high renewable content for agriculture, the goal is to develop 11 innovative bio-based and biodegradable in soil product solutions. (GA No 101214822)

MAGICBIOMAT aims at developing a portfolio of circular bio-based materials with programmed biodegradability demonstrated through 2 applications with highly concerning rates of littering: mulching films and paper-based packaging, tested in open environmental conditions (soil, fresh water and marine) and different EU climates (GA No 101181381)

Acknowledgement of funding: INSOIL and SOUL are supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Funded by the European Union. MAGICBIOMAT is funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.