Summary
- Profile Type
- Research & Development Request
- POD Reference
- RDRES20250515008
- Term of Validity
- 15 May 2025 - 15 May 2026
- Company's Country
- Spain
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A Spanish Technological Centre specialized in plastics, with extensive experience in the coordination and participation in European projects is currently leading a proposal focused on the development of polymer-coated fertilizer based on biodegradable materials under the call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-RIA-02. A company (SME/Large) is being sought as a consortium partner with the capacity to manufacture polymer-encapsulated fertilizers that enable controlled nutrient release.
- Full Description
-
A Spanish Technology Centre with extensive experience in polymer science and bio-based materials is developing an innovative solution aimed at improving the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural practices. The core development focuses on biodegradable and bio-based polymer capsules that serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization systems.
These advanced delivery systems are designed to gradually release nutrients in response to environmental conditions such as temperature, pH or soil moisture, ensuring plants receive optimal nutrition aligned with their growth cycle. A key innovation lies in the tailored degradation of the polymer coating, which plays an essential role in controlling nutrient release. Unlike conventional materials that may break prematurely, this system prevents the sudden release of nutrients when surface cracks first appear, thus maintaining the benefits of controlled release: reducing nutrient loss, preventing groundwater pollution through leaching, and improving overall fertilizer efficiency.
In alignment with precision agriculture principles, the capsules can also carry additional active bioproducts such as:
• Elicitors that stimulate the plant’s defense mechanisms, thereby reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, decrease reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
• Plant-based micronutrients (e.g., boron, iron or zinc), promote balanced crop nutrition.
Polymer coatings are developed from waste materials, supporting circular economic principles and contributing to the reduction of microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
The technology Centre brings strong added value through:
• A multidisciplinary team with expertise in biodegradable polymers and sustainability assessment.
• Experience in coordinating and executing EU-funded projects.
• Facilities for formulation, compounding, pilot production and testing.
Potential uses of the new polymer-coated fertilizer will include sustainable and precision farming, organic crop management, and input optimization strategies in agriculture.
The centre is looking for a company (SME/Large) as partner with the capacity to manufacture polymer-encapsulated fertilizers that enable controlled nutrient release.
• Call: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-RIA-02. Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health
• Official call deadline: 18th september 2025
• Deadline for EoI: 1st september 2025
• Project duration: 48 months - Advantages and Innovations
-
The main innovation lies in the development of bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems, offering a controlled-release system that aligns nutrient delivery with crop needs. Unlike many existing coated fertilizers, which often release nutrients too quickly due to early cracking, this system ensures a gradual and precise release based on environmental triggers such as temperature, pH or soil moisture.
Additional innovative features include:
- Biodegradability of the coating materials, reducing microplastic pollution and promoting soil health.
- Incorporation of biostimulants, such as elicitors and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, which enhance crop resilience and reduce dependency on chemical inputs.
- Valorization of agricultural and industrial waste to produce bio-based polymers, in line with circular economy principles.
Principal advantages:
- Reduction of fossil-based fertilizer use through more efficient nutrient uptake.
- Lower risk of nitrate leaching and groundwater contamination.
- Decreased need for chemical pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
- Improved crop yield and health with fewer environmental impacts.
Economic benefits:
- Optimized input costs for farmers due to reduced fertilizer and pesticide usage.
- Increased market value of crops grown under sustainable practices.
- Regulatory alignment with EU green transition goals, potentially opening new funding opportunities. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
- A company with the capacity to manufacture polymer-encapsulated fertilizers that enable controlled nutrient release
- Stage of Development
- Under development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- IPR status
- IPR applied but not yet granted
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Companies engaged in the production of granular fertilizers, preferably those manufacturing polymer-coated fertilizers such as Controlled-Release Fertilizers (CRFs) or Slow-Release Fertilizers (SRFs). Within the scope of the project, the partner would be responsible for the laboratory-scale production and subsequent upscaling of fertilizer delivery systems. Furthermore, the partner would lead to the selection and adaptation of active bioproducts for their integration into these delivery systems.
- Type and Size of Partner
- SME 50 - 249
- SME 11-49
- Big company
- SME <=10
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Call details
- Framework program
- Access to finance
- Call title and identifier
-
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-RIA-02 Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health
- Anticipated project budget
-
EUR 3.5 million
- Coordinator required
-
Yes
- Deadline for EoI
- Deadline of the call
- Project duration in weeks
-
192
- Web link to the call
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni…
- Project title and acronym
-
PHARM - From pollution to solution: A PHA-based circular approach for farming systems.
- Access to finance
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 07001005 - Horticulture
- 07001007 - Precision agriculture
- 07001008 - Seed coating
- 07001006 - Pesticides
- Market keywords
- 08004004 - Other pollution and recycling related
- 08001023 - Other chemicals and materials (not elsewhere classified)
- 08001022 - Agricultural chemicals
- 09005 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry & Related Products
- Sector Groups Involved
- Agri-Food
- Targeted countries
- All countries