ECONUT
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Eco-designing for the coastal zone nutrient's circularity
Total cost € 1 473 550.00 EU contribution € 1 178 840.00 Funding Programme INTERREG

Under climate change, eutrophication and soil degradation conditions, the Baltic Sea region is facing the challenge of recovering and obtaining nutrients. The Baltic Sea coastal area is rich in biomass resources (algae, macrophytes, mussel shells, beach wrack), which can be used in agriculture for sustainable food production. One of the possibilities consistent with the circular economy is the use of marine biomass resources as both a fertilizer and an adsorbent for nutrient recovery. These solutions will prevent nutrients from dispersing into the environment and becoming pollutants. This biomass can be used to force dune succession since this vegetation is limited by nutrient availability.

The overall project objective is to design and develop the technology of the nutrients' flow cycle following the circular economy and sustainable soil and water management principles for a regional bioeconomy. The project ending actions will focus on market analysis for pilot technologies and creation of business models for business adaptation of developed technologies and added-value products.

Thematic areas

Business dimension Circular economy Tackling pollution and restoration

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Partially targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Not targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Not targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Not targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Partially targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Not targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Not targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Not targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Not targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

© European Union, 2024. Image sources: Adobe.Stock.com