INSOIL: Biodegradable bio-based solutions for the sustainable transformation of crop production

INSOIL seeks to optimise, validate and deploy in the field (TRL7-8) three families of in-soil biodegradable, safe and sustainable by design bio-based solutions for crop production with enhanced functionality:

Mulch films
Plant guards
CRFs

For each family, INSOIL will provide two end-products formulations designed for optimal, safe biodegradation and performance, tailored to regional conditions in two key EU zones with the most intensive horticulture and fruit production: the Mediterranean (Valencia, ES) and the Atlantic (Flanders, BE).

Additionally, INSOIL will contribute to the development of specific labelling schemes targeting INSOIL agriproducts, provide the guidelines, training and recommendations needed for their use and regulation, as well as envision three circular business models for their commercialisation. With this, INSOIL will promote in-soil biodegradable polymers and bioadditives production from sustainable feedstock, reduce (micro)plastic pollution of agricultural systems while adhering to SSbD principles, enhance crop land and water body health, lower synthetic agrochemical use, and advance the regulation, social acceptance, and implementation of biodegradable plastic products.

Context

Agricultural plastics used in crop production often remain in the soil after application. Persistent plastic accumulation leads to the release of microplastics and toxic substances causing soil pollution and threatening ecosystems. Single-use plastics are of particular concern, as they are impractical to recover.

To mitigate these impacts, the EU aims by 2030 to:

1) reduce by 20% fossil-based plastic production and

2) cut by 30% microplastic releases into the environment. In response, bio-based alternatives are emerging, as they can safely biodegrade in-soil.

However, further development is needed to produce biodegradable technologies that are high-performing and cost-effective. INSOIL tackles agricultural plastic pollution by developing three families of fully bio-based, safe in-soil biodegradable products in the form of mulch films, plant guards and controlled-release fertilisers (CRFs), in order to replace widespread single-use plastics in crop production. These three product families will be based on sustainable PHA combined with tailored additives (MFCs, modified lignins), enabling for programmed biodegradation suited to specific climates and crops.

They will be enriched with active bioproducts (organic NPK, biostimulants, bio-based PPPs) to enhance their functionality, value and adoption. INSOIL agriproducts will be field validated with end users (TRL8) across relevant vegetables and fruit trees in Southern and Northern Europe. SSbD experts will ensure compliance, policy recommendation will advance relevant regulations and standards, and circular business models will secure market acceptance.

By 2035, INSOIL agriproduct commercialisation will reduce (micro)plastic release (5,820 tonnes) and agrochemical use (4,000 tonnes), cutting CO2 emissions by 16,000 tonnes, while generating €17.4 M in savings for farmers. INSOIL will thus contribute to a secure food supply and boost the sustainability, circularity, autonomy and competitiveness of EU bio-based value chains.

Summary and objectives

To address this challenge, INSOIL will demonstrate and deploy an array of PHA-based products that

are fully safe in-soil biodegradable, aimed at replacing widely used conventional agri-plastics in crop production, particularly those that are single-use crop dependent and have low collectability. These alternatives will be based on PHA obtained from industrial biogenic CO2 emissions, contributing to a circular bioeconomy in Europe.

Accordingly, INSOIL will tackle conventional plastic incidence holistically, improving both resource and waste management. Furthermore, the innovative INSOIL agriproducts will integrate three kinds of active bioproducts (organic NPK fertiliser, microalgae-based biostimulant, and plant protection products – PPPs) that will provide them additional functionalities, improved soil health, and strengthen crop protection and growth. Altogether, INSOIL agriproducts will advance the sustainability of agricultural systems.

INSOIL will develop and demonstrate (starting at TRL5-6 and ending at TRL7-8) the following three families of bio-based alternatives to the main single-use non-collectable agri-plastics that have been identified. For each of the three families, two end-products will be developed with adapted biodegradation rates and tailored performance to suit the local requirements (climate and crops) of two regional validation trials. These two regions reflect the major horticultural EU production systems in Southern (ES) and Central-Northern Europe (BE):

Two versions of mulch films with programmed biodegradation: PHA-based mulch films for herbaceous crops (e.g., lettuce, strawberry, pepper) incorporating organic NPK and a biostimulant cocktail, containing microalgae biomass and bio-based plant protection products (PPPs; Trichoderma viride powder biofungicide, plant extracts – garlic, lemon – herbivore and insect repellent). INSOIL mulch films will operate in two stages:
- 1) supporting crop growth and protection during mulch film use through a coating containing biostimulant cocktail microcapsules for gradual release, and
- 2) enhancing soil fertility by releasing organic NPK during PHA programmed biodegradation at the end of the mulch film’s useful life.
Two versions of plant guards with programmed biodegradation: PHA-based plant guards for woody crops (e.g., orange, pear, vineyard). As with mulch films, INSOIL plant guards will feature a dual ambition:
- 1) crop growth and protection through coated PPPs (plant extracts – garlic, lemon – herbivore and insect repellent),
- 2) enhancing soil fertility by releasing organic NKP after the plant guard’s lifespan.
Two versions of polymer coated controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) with programmed biodegradation: PHA-based shell materials encapsulating organic NPK that will replace conventional CRFs for herbaceous and woody crops (e.g., tomato, spinach, vineyard). INSOIL CRFs will feature advanced programmed rate of nutrient release adapted to both the target crop and the environment.

Besides developing this range of bio-based products, INSOIL will assess their risk, safety, sustainability, and social and economic impacts throughout the entire product design and development process, in line with the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework18, eco-design principles and relevant regulations.

The project will also contribute to develop labelling proposals and to advance regulations for the adoption of bio-based plastic alternatives.

Specific Objectives

To produce and select in-soil biodegradable and bio-based product components (biopolymers, biodegradation and functional additives, and active bioproducts) in line with the SSbD framework and INSOIL agriproduct requirements. To develop digital biodegradation models that support product development and optimisation.
To produce and optimise three families of INSOIL agriproducts, adapted to specific regional requirements and crops, resulting in two different versions of each INSOIL agriproduct.
To validate INSOIL agriproduct characteristics, biodegradation rates, as well as agronomic and soil performance at pilot scale.
To validate the industrial production and field implementation of INSOIL agriproducts across two regional validation trials in collaboration with primary producers.
To identify and engage relevant stakeholders (primary producers, policy and standardisation experts, industries) across the EU that support product development and evaluation activities and contribute to labelling and standard recommendations.
To demonstrate for INSOIL agriproducts increased safety in line with the SSbD framework, and positive economic, environmental and social impacts.
To verify regulatory compliance and ensure market uptake and impact of INSOIL agriproducts.
To maximise public awareness and visibility among key stakeholders and end users, and to communicate to the general public the objectives and achievements of the Project.

Consortium

The INSOIL consortium consists of:

ITENE – Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística (Spain) – Coordinator
SABIO SRL (Italy)
HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTEN HAMBURG (Germany)
EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS EV (Germany)
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA (Italy)
CAPSULAE (France)
PARTICULA GROUP DRUSTVO S OGRANICENOM ODGOVORNOSCU ZA ISTRAZIVANJE RAZVOJ I PROIZVODNJU (Croatia)
IVL SVENSKA MILJOEINSTITUTET AB (Sweden)
ASOCIACIÓN VALENCIANA DE AGRICULTORES (AVA) (Spain)
NORMEC OWS (Belgium)
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY (Finland)
NORCE NORWEGIAN RESEARCH CENTRE AS (Norway)
NOVAMONT SPA (Italy)
UNIVERSITAT JAUME I DE CASTELLÓN (Spain)
CO2BIOCLEAN GMBH (Germany)
BOERENBOND PROJECTEN (Belgium

ITENE’s role in INSOIL

ITENE plays a central role in the INSOIL project as its general coordinator, ensuring the strategic, technical and operational alignment of all activities towards the successful development and deployment of in-soil biodegradable bio-based agriproducts.

In addition, ITENE leads the work package dedicated to the pilot production of INSOIL agriproducts, overseeing the scale-up, optimisation and validation of mulch films, plant guards and controlled-release fertilisers under relevant operational conditions. Through its coordination capacity and technical leadership, ITENE ensures that the developed solutions are robust, scalable and ready for field deployment, facilitating their transition towards high technology readiness levels (TRL 7–8) and real agricultural applications.