Facsa's headquarters hosted a technical conference this Thursday in which the latest advances of project Fertilab, a pioneering initiative that seeks to give a second life to waste generated in wastewater treatment plants by converting it into useful products for agriculture. The meeting brought together universities, research centers, and representatives from the company itself, who presented the results obtained so far within the framework of this project focused on the circular economy and sustainable agriculture.
Fertilab's objective is clear: to transform sewage sludge and other organic waste into fertilizers, plant biostimulants, and natural pesticides. Significant progress has already been made in this endeavor. During the event, the project partners detailed the advances achieved in obtaining natural products capable of promoting healthy plant growth or protecting them against pests. These solutions have been validated both in the laboratory and under real-world growing conditions, yielding promising results.
Key achievements include the recovery of mineral nutrients typically extracted from wastewater, such as phosphorus. In this regard, Facsa The company has successfully recovered this element in the form of struvite, a reusable, slow-release solid fertilizer, through tests conducted at its pilot plant at the Castellón wastewater treatment plant. The trials have demonstrated that it is possible to obtain struvite from wastewater treatment plant sludge and streams with high phosphorus content. The bioproducts obtained in the project are being tested on crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, and lavender, with visible improvements in plant growth and productivity.
Javier Eduardo Sánchez, a research technician in Facsa's R&D department, presented the latest results of the work carried out on validating the struvite production process at pilot plant scale. Representatives from the irrigation communities of Castellón and Vila-real also attended the event and expressed interest in the potential practical applications of these solutions in agriculture.
The event concluded with a visit to the pilot plant facilities, where the struvite separation and crystallization process is currently being optimized to maximize the recovery of this mineral biofertilizer. The day highlighted Facsa's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the transition to a more environmentally friendly agricultural model.
