Small-scale decentralized biorefinery demo sites in Romania – ManuREfinery Project

ManuREfinery is a project developing innovative solutions for the sustainable management of manure through smart modular mobile biorefining technologies in rural areas. It implements modern small-scale decentralized biorefineries that transform manure into useful products, contributing to pollution reduction and an improved standard of living of farmers and local communities. It does so with a holistic approach to manure management aligned with global sustainability goals and supporting rural development through: -Research and Development: Innovation and improvement of refining technologies, for mobile and modular units will allow on-site processing of manure. -Pilot Testing: Studies will be conducted in selected rural pilot areas (1 pig farm and 1 chicken farm in Romania; 1 pig farm in Spain, 1 cattle farm in Slovenia). -Collaboration: A collaborative approach was chosen for the implementation of the project and identification of solutions for the specific needs of the local rural communities. -Education and Training: During the project, certain educational and training activities for technical skills necessary for biorefinery will be carried out for specialists from the respective rural communities. The main outputs are: - Biorefining Technology: modern, portable, small-sized and adaptable modular biorefinery units. - Nutrient-Rich Bioingredients: high-quality fertilizers and animal feed ingredients derived from the processed manure. - Data and Guidelines: valuable data on the performance of biorefining systems, alongside practical guidelines for their implementation. - Impact Assessments: detailed evaluation reports generated to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the project. Significance of the project - Addresses waste management challenges in rural areas. - Contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to traditional manure disposal methods. - Identifies solutions for enhancing nutrient recovery, leading to improved soil health and agricultural productivity. - Encourages sustainable practices that can be adopted by farmers, contributing to food security. - Gives ideas for the creation of new markets for bioingredients.