The BETA Technological Centre of UVic-UCC hosts the second meeting of the Catalan Nutrient Platform
The event stood out for its exploration of synergies with European initiatives and Catalan clusters, as well as governance and funding models to consolidate the platform
On June 17, the BETA Technological Center of UVic – UCC organized the second meeting of the Catalan Nutrient Platform (PCN), a gathering space for key sector stakeholders to move towards more sustainable nitrogen and phosphorus management. During the session, participants shared insights from meetings with Catalan clusters and European platforms, discussed potential governance and funding models, and took part in a participatory activity to define the platform’s priority actions. As part of the NOVAFERT project, the day concluded with a visit to the company FertiEbro, which specializes in manufacturing innovative fertilizers for more sustainable agriculture.
The PCN aims to tackle the excess nutrients in Catalan soil by promoting a circular bioeconomy and encouraging efficient resource use through innovation and cross-sector collaboration. The process of defining the platform is part of a demonstration project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Catalonia.
During the Second Meeting
This second session delved into organizational proposals for the platform, using models identified in Catalan and European initiatives as references. It included a collaborative dynamic to gather sector perspectives on priority action lines, expected benefits, and potential self-financing strategies.
Reasons Behind the Creation of the PCN
Catalan soils show high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in groundwater, often due to intensive use of mineral fertilizers and excess livestock manure—with up to two-thirds of these nutrients originating from agricultural activities. While there are strategies to valorize these manure residues into value-added products, their applications remain limited. In response to this challenge, the PCN seeks to foster a business network in circular bioeconomy to drive innovation in residual flow valorization, develop circular business models, promote the use of biological fertilizers, and advance toward a sustainable agri-food chain, ensuring efficient and responsible nutrient use and environmental protection.
The second PCN meeting serves as a key gathering point to progress toward more efficient and sustainable nutrient management in Catalonia. The involvement of diverse stakeholders and collective discussion on organization, funding, and priority actions marks a solid step toward a circular bioeconomy and a more environmentally responsible agri-food sector.
