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BIO-CORDELIA: The Horizon Europe Project for the Fertilizers of the Future with Sphera Encapsulation
The BIO-CORDELIA project represents a concrete breakthrough in the fight against microplastics in agriculture: we at Sphera Encapsulation are an active part of this European initiative to develop fully biodegradable, controlled-release fertilizers.
European agriculture today faces the challenge of balancing productivity and sustainability amid severe climate pressures.
Of the 161.8 million hectares of agricultural land in the European Union, 122.9 million hectares receive controlled-release fertilizers.
Although these formulations improve nutrient efficiency and reduce leaching, most rely on non-biodegradable polymer coatings, whose persistence in the soil fuels microplastic pollution in agriculture, damaging biodiversity and soil fertility.
Funded by the Horizon Europe program through the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), the project will run from June 1, 2026, to November 30, 2029.
The goal is to develop a new generation of fully bio-based and biodegradable fertilizers.
BIO-CORDELIA’s technological innovation in the circular economy
The core of the BIO-CORDELIA project is the valorization of biomass and woody residues derived from European agricultural and forestry waste, specifically olive kernels and birch bark.
Using a patented aldehyde-assisted fractionation technology, the lignocellulosic components are isolated without alteration.
This process allows for the extraction of cellulose and, for the first time, the isolation and purification of hemicellulose and uncondensed native lignin—materials historically considered industrial waste.
At Sphera Encapsulation, as the first Italian company 100% dedicated to research and development in encapsulation technologies, we closely monitor developments in the circular economy as applied to agriculture.
The integration of these biological materials enables the creation of advanced, sustainable delivery systems from the outset, in line with the principles of safe and sustainable by design.
Bio-matrix and Bio-coating: new biodegradable controlled-release fertilizer systems
The raw materials extracted within BIO-CORDELIA are used to develop two distinct nutrient delivery technologies:
• Bio-matrix: biological matrices with an optimized controlled-release duration of up to 2 months.
• Bio-coating: bio-based protective coatings capable of ensuring gradual release for up to 8 months.
The applications of these formulations will also be expanded and tested as anti-caking solutions and protective coatings for seed treatment, further expanding the commercial potential of the encapsulation technologies developed by Sphera.
Environmental Impact and Validation of Biodegradable Controlled-Release Fertilizers
To ensure the true effectiveness of the systems developed at BIO-CORDELIA, the research team continuously monitors the biodegradability profiles of matrices and coatings in the laboratory and under real-world conditions, measuring soil and plant health.
Their agronomic and economic viability is supported by field trials conducted in two different European regions.
In the medium term, the transition driven by these circular technologies aims to generate a quantifiable industrial and environmental impact on a large scale:
• Zero microplastics: prevention of 0.125 million tons of microplastics per year in agricultural soils.
• Water protection: reduction of 100 million tons per year in nutrient losses and leaching.
• Decarbonization: reduction of the carbon footprint by 2.25% per ton of fertilizer and reduction of over 5 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions per year thanks to the upcycling of waste streams.
• Market substitution: replacing 930 to 1,395 kilotons of traditional fertilizers per year in Europe.
The project actively connects strategic partners such as BioPowder in Malta and Innomost in Finland, uniting forestry and olive oil producers in a supply chain that is estimated to create between 500 and 1,000 jobs in rural areas post-project.
Develop your bio-based solution with us: contact Sphera Encapsulation
Compliance with the EU Fertilizer Regulation and the elimination of polluting polymers require highly specialized scientific know-how.
At Sphera Encapsulation, we offer our expertise and cutting-edge laboratories to chemical and agronomic companies seeking to stay ahead of the market by developing solutions based on bio-based encapsulation and the circular economy in agriculture.
Want to integrate the principles of the BIO-CORDELIA project into your production lines or enhance your industrial byproducts through encapsulation technologies?
Contact Sphera Encapsulation’s team of engineers and researchers to design your next sustainable agrochemical solution—contact us or visit our website to schedule a personalized consultation.
To stay up-to-date on the progress of green chemistry, new European calls for proposals, and our latest patented innovations, follow us on our official social media channels.
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