The new platform “Digestat Valoritza’t” is launched to promote the valorization of digestate and the circular bioeconomy in Catalonia
The “Digestat Valoritza’t” project is a new online tool designed to support the management and valorization of digestate, the byproduct obtained from biogas plants. The initiative aims to help overcome one of the main challenges facing the biogas sector and strengthen the development of the circular bioeconomy in Catalonia. This project was developed by the BETA Technological Centre of the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (UVic- UCC) in collaboration with the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia (CBC) and Envolta Energia. The consulting firm J3BTRES and the software development company Walaxia also participated, and the project received support and funding from ACCIÓ of the Government of Catalonia.
What is digestate and how can it be valorized?
Digest is the residual material obtained from anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which organic matter decomposes in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas (mainly methane and CO₂). The nitrogen present in digestate is in chemical forms that, compared to those of the original organic waste, such as slurry, can be absorbed more easily by crops. This increases its agronomic value, making its direct application a good valorization strategy.
However, some areas of the crops have a higher concentration of nitrogen or phosphorus, requiring more intensive treatment of the digestate before it can be applied. This includes treatments that use technologies to separate the solid and liquid fractions, composting, or nutrient concentration (phosphorus precipitation, ammonium sulfate production, or reverse osmosis concentrates). In this way, the digestate is transformed into biofertilizers or other bioproducts with higher added value, allowing for their sale and export to other regions with greater nutrient needs.
“There is still a great lack of knowledge about digestate in the sector, and Digestat Valoritza’t wants to help overcome this barrier by disseminating knowledge and offering practical support tools for the design of valorization strategies”, says Jordi Pous Miralles, biotechnologist and member of the Transfer and Territorial and Sectoral Projects Team from BETA of UVic – UCC.
Why was the “Digestat Valoritza’t” Platform born?
The biogas sector is growing in both Catalonia and Europe, but digestate management remains a limiting factor for the deployment of new biogas projects due to its high logistical costs and the complexity associated with its valorization. In this context, the Digestat valoriza’t platform was created with the aim of improving knowledge about the different options for treating and using digestate, and promoting new business models based on the valorization of bioproducts, such as biofertilizers.
The platform includes an interactive web tool featuring a nitrogen balance map of Catalonia, which visualizes the relationship between nitrogen present in organic waste and the nitrogen that can be applied to fields according to current regulations. The map identifies areas with excess nitrogen where more intensive digestate treatment is needed. It also provides information on the types and total areas of crops, as well as the types and total quantities of nitrogen and manure, broken down by municipality.
The tool includes a digestate treatment technology diagram, with clear information on the different options available, the products that can be obtained, and in which territorial contexts they may be of greatest agronomic interest. It also offers direct links to technology providers. This web section aims to support decision-making in the design of a digestate valorization strategy and to connect the different stakeholders in the value chain.
The platform includes a specific section on regulations, with clear and structured information on the regulatory framework affecting the management and valorization of digestate. Currently, the regulatory framework is constantly changing and unfavorable, creating uncertainty for the implementation of circular bioeconomy projects—one of the sector’s main barriers. These are relatively new and evolving regulations that could become obsolete in just a few years due to ongoing legislative amendments. However, the platform’s leaders have already committed to updating the platform as these changes occur.
The collection is completed with success stories from different European regions, showing how other territories have tackled similar challenges and can serve as inspiration for projects in our territory.
This content is aimed at all relevant actors in the digestate value chain: energy companies, organic waste managers, fertilizer manufacturers, farmers, livestock farmers, and administrations.
“The tool helps to give visibility to the solutions that already exist in the market, facilitates contact between companies, technologies and real needs of the territory, and contributes to generating new opportunities around the biogas sector”, says Jordi Pous.
He adds, “These types of projects are an example of the work we do at BETA to bring scientific and technical knowledge closer to the productive sector and turn it into useful and applicable tools“.
With this new platform, the BETA Technological Centre reinforces its commitment to sustainability and innovation, and to promoting the valorization of digestate as a key element for consolidating the sustainability of the biogas sector as a renewable gas source, promoting more efficient resource management and progress towards a circular and resilient economy model.
