The bioeconomy is a hot topic these days, right up at the top of policy agendas. It involves using renewable natural resources as a raw material. The circular bioeconomy introduces circularity into this concept: using what would otherwise be thrown away, using spent biological resources to regenerate ecosystems and minimising waste.

The ECESP website has a good selection of circular bioeconomy-themed content. This series will shine a spotlight on it.

Circular bioeconomy concept: a technology which converts agricultural and food industry by-products into fertilisers, green energy and water purification materials

3R-BioPhosphate Ltd: Pioneering zero emission and energy independent pyrolysis and nutrient recovery

European agriculture relies on continuous inputs of mined and non-renewable phosphorus and synthesised nitrogen, but the vast majority of all phosphorus-based fertilisers on the EU market are imported from third countries. The European Commission recognised phosphorus as a critical raw material in 2017.

3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. is a technology-intensive, innovation-driven company specialising in the development and industrialisation of high-value biomass upcycling solutions. It provides sustainable, circular and profitable solutions that convert low-value organic waste into premium regenerative bio-fertilisers, green energy and water purification materials.

Its proprietary 3R Zero Emission/Energy-Independent Pyrolysis Technology promotes circular agriculture by transforming unexploited agricultural and food industry by-products into market-competitive, eco-safe and high-performance products.

This technology produces several valuable outputs:

• Their flagship innovation is the ABC Animal Bone Char BioPhosphate, a natural, safe and EU REACH-certified phosphorus fertiliser made from food-grade animal bones. It supports drought-resilient and organic farming and is also suitable for water purification applications. It is created through a high-temperature carbon refinery and the production process does involve any chemicals.
• Green ammonia and hydrogen, used to make ammonium nitrate.
• Advanced adsorbents designed for industrial and municipal water treatment.
• Bioenergy: the process recovers renewable energy for on-site or farm-level use, enhancing operational profitability in circular industrial symbiosis.

The 3R Technology process does not require any external energy.

Results

• 3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. converts organic waste into regenerative bio-fertilisers, green energy and water purification materials. It therefore serves the growing global need for food security, soil regeneration and climate-smart agriculture.
• It markets both the BioPhosphate and the technology itself.
• Its 3R Zero Emission / Energy-Independent Pyrolysis Technology has been fully demonstrated at industrial level and is certified under the REACH certification.
• It achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 in 2025 and is now ready for global market replication. It has also achieved Biomanufacturing readiness level (BRL) 8 and Investment Readiness Level (IRL) 8.