In livestock-intensive regions such as Flanders, Belgium, farmers face a nutrient imbalance: too much manure in some areas and a growing need for synthetic fertilisers in others. This mismatch causes environmental problems like ammonia emissions, nitrate leaching and run-off. Additionally, this drives up costs for farmers who must treat surplus manure and buy fertiliser at the same time. RENURE offers a solution.
What is the RENURE technology?
RENURE stands for Recovered Nitrogen from Manure. It is an innovative approach that uses a stripping–scrubbing process to transform livestock manure into high-quality mineral fertiliser directly on the farm.
How does the stripping–scrubbing process work?
The system operates in two main stages:
- Stripping:
- The liquid fraction of the manure is heated or treated with alkaline components to raise its pH and release ammonia.
- Air is then blown into the chamber, transferring the gaseous ammonia into the next compartment.
- Scrubbing:
- The ammonia-rich air is sprayed with a strong acidic solution, forming ammonium salts while releasing clean air.
- These ammonium salts are then collected as a concentrated nitrogen fertiliser.
What are ammonium salts, and why are they valuable?
Ammonium salts contain nitrogen in a pure mineral form, which is immediately available to crops. They can replace conventional synthetic fertilisers, helping farmers reduce both costs and environmental impact.
What are the RENURE criteria?
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has set out criteria for recovered nitrogen products from manure, known as RENURE materials. These products:
- Are officially recognised as recovered nitrogen fertilisers.
- Allow farmers to apply up to 80 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare per year beyond the regulated limits for manure application.
Which farms can benefit from this technology?
At present, the stripping–scrubbing process is most suitable for larger farms that produce significant volumes of manure and need efficient nutrient management. However, as the technology develops, it is likely to become more accessible to smaller farms as well.
What are the environmental benefits?
The RENURE process turns a waste problem into a valuable resource by:
- Reducing nitrogen pollution in both water and air.
- Recycling nutrients into effective mineral fertilisers.
- Decreasing dependence on synthetic fertilisers, cutting emissions from their production.
Learn more
Watch our latest animation below to see how the process works. Join our Community of Practice to explore sustainable farming solutions in more depth. Connect with like-minded farmers, explore best practices, and take the next step toward a greener future.