On November 13, 2024, the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP) organized a workshop in Brussels to address the regulatory status and challenges of using algae grown with inputs like wastewater, animal by-products, or manure in fertilizers, feed, and industrial applications. The event featured the presentation of a legal analysis and discussions among experts, producers, and regulators. Topics included EU “End-of-Waste” criteria and the valorization of algae in sustainable practices.
The objectives of the workshop were to:
- Identify significant regulatory obstacles and questions, in collaboration with policymakers, industry professionals, and experts, that may hinder circularity in nutrient recycling and carbon sequestration in algae production and the use of biomass for wastewater treatment.
- Discuss how to tackle these challenges in the context of advancing the green and blue circular economy, while ensuring health and environmental safety and building confidence among stakeholders.
The workshop kicked off with ESPP, DG MARE, and the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) presenting an analysis of the context and perspectives for algae in the circular economy. They also showcased various EU-funded R&D projects, including SEMPRE-Bio, ALG-AD, EU4Algae, and AlgaeProBanos, which focus on the valorization of algae derived from wastewaters and digestates.
Later, Barry Love’s legal analysis highlighted regulatory challenges for algae production using waste-based inputs. Key conclusions included ambiguity in applying EU “End-of-Waste” criteria and the complex regulatory framework depending on the algae-based final applications, such as fertilizers, food, feed. He emphasized the need for clearer legal frameworks to enhance algae valorization while ensuring safety and compliance with EU policies.
INNOAQUA attended the event and shared the challenges and regulatory hurdles and obstacles found in the project for innovative algae-based foods and solutions. As our project is build around land-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), where we grow algae on the water from fish production and subsequently use the algal biomass as well as the by-products from fish processing as ingredients for food, this event was highly relevant.
In unraveling the complex legal frameworks and transitioning to innovative circular economy opportunities, what was once considered waste or an animal by-product can now serve as a primary resource for growing products like algae. The legal framework typically envisions scenarios where a product defined as waste can be processed into new products. However, contributions at the workshop highlighted that the criteria for granting this “end-of-waste” status are inconsistently applied by different authorities, making the process unpredictable. Additionally, the lengthy time required for fundamental legislative changes makes urgently needed research and development less attractive.
The workshop underscored the risk that a promising step towards a circular bioeconomy could reach an impasse. There is an urgent need to adjust legislation originally designed for a linear economy to enable the foundational networks of the circular economy to function effectively, while ensuring that safety standards are maintained. EU-funded research projects like INNOAQUA will play a crucial role not only by investigating the scientific and technical aspects but also by identifying key parameters that can guide the conditions for determining the end-of-waste or animal by-product status. As such, INNOAQUA and other projects can help establish clear criteria and standards, ensuring that waste materials are effectively transformed into valuable resources, thereby supporting the transition to a circular economy.
