Eleven million investment in R&D for the development of new Biostimulants and Biopesticides

Biorizon Biotech has been the beneficiary, together with a group of companies and important European research centres, of a new project awarded by the European Commission financed under the new European research framework programme ‘Horizon Europe’, a programme that replaces the old H2020.

The REALM project – ‘Reusing Effluents from Agriculture to unLock the potential of Microalgae’, with a total budget of 11 million euros and a 4-year implementation period, started this July with a kick-off meeting in Faro (Portugal), attended by researchers from the 16 members of the consortium.

The REALM project aims to develop technology for the production of microalgas by recovering nutrients from hydroponic production systems, from which nitrates, phosphates and other basic nutrients will be obtained for microalgae production, with the aim of converting the microalgae biomass produced into new biostimulant and biopesticide products for agriculture, as well as for obtaining additives for aquaculture, while at the same time implementing a circular bioeconomy process that contributes to the profitability of hydroponic farms and improving the environmental sustainability of the processes.

Almeria and the Algarve will host the demonstration units.

During the project, two demonstration units will be built for the production of microalgae from these agricultural effluents, one in the Algarve and the second in Almeria, for which the Portuguese company will be directly responsible. Necton, the project coordinator, and Biorizon Biotech, the main beneficiaries of the project with a combined budget of more than 5 million euros, 50% of the total budget.

In addition to Biorizon Biotech, it is worth mentioning the participation of the University of Almeria, through the figures of the professors José Luis Guzmán and Gabriel Acién, the Universidad de Cádiz, the company La Caña group, and leading European research centres such as the Wageningen andTwente universities from the Netherlands, the Turku Universitie of Finland, theEuropean Institute of Science Communication, as well as other companies and centres, making a total of 16 members.

The new project Horizon Europe-Biorizon Biotech’s REALM, adds to its European projects H2020-SABANA and EMFF-ALGAENAUTS, the company has become a benchmark in research in Almeria with its third European project obtained in competitive calls, positioning itself as the Almerian company that has attracted the largest volume of funding from the European Union. European Commission 3.6 million for R&D&I over the last 5 years.

Biorizon Biotech, biotechnology and avant-garde for agriculture

Biorizon Biotech, dedicated to the production of microalgae, cyanobacteria and bacteria and their processing into biostimulants and biopesticides for agriculture, is recognised worldwide for being the pioneer company in the use of microalgae for the development of nutritional products and biopesticides for agriculture, a clear example of the good harmony between company and university and how R+D+i can be a solution to a demand that exists in the market.
Our studies and developments have focused from the outset on the countless applications of microalgae, cyanobacteria and bacteria in agriculture, developing unique technology and processes to improve productivity and quality in plants and fruits.