European pigs and cows jointly produce about 1.27 billion tonnes of manure per year, a largely unexploited resource of organic carbon and nutrients, and therefore an exquisite ‘mining’ opportunity.

ManureEcoMine proposes an integrated approach to the treatment and reuse of animal husbandry waste in nitrate vulnerable and sensitive areas and beyond, by applying the eco-innovative principles of sustainability, resource recovery and energy efficiency. Technologies of proven efficacy in the wastewater treatment field will be combined in several process configurations to demonstrate their technological and environmental potential at pilot scale for cow and pig manure. Anaerobic digestion (mesophilic/thermophilic), ammonia stripping, struvite precipitation and partial nitritation/anammox will be key technologies that will be combined to demonstrate their technological and environmental potential at pilot-scale for cow and pig manure treatment.
To render the cradle-to-cradle approach complete, the fertilizer and potential trace contaminants effects of recovered nutrients on plant growth and soil health and emissions will be established, and safety will be managed. Life cycle analyses and economic viability will determine the sustainability of the concept as such, and identify the most environmentally friendly technology and most effective and safe reuse strategy. Risk management will be developed with regard to trace contaminants for guaranteeing safe handling and high product quality for a closed nutrient cycle.

More information can be found at: www.manureecomine.ugent.be.