CLEANFARMSOIL Operational Group: Valorization of pig carcasses and livestock waste through the development of hydrocarbons to improve animal welfare and biosecurity in livestock farming, as well as the health of agricultural soil

This report details the characteristics of pig manure and assesses the health and environmental risks associated with its handling. Our objective is to determine the quantity, frequency, seasonality, composition, and associated risks of the waste generated on pig farms.

To this end, we will first conduct an inventory of the waste by type (carcasses, animal by-products, slurry, bedding waste, etc.) and an analysis of seasonal variability, followed by the physicochemical characterization of the waste. The waste will also be shredded to significantly increase the efficiency of the decomposition process during thermochemical treatment. Finally, an assessment of the health and environmental risks associated with handling this type of wet organic waste will be carried out.

A prototype hydrothermal carbonization system, comprising an initial crushing and homogenization stage and a high-pressure, high-temperature main reactor, designed to ensure biosafety from the outset. The objective is to design, optimize, and validate a portable, low-cost system for the comprehensive treatment of pig manure, with direct application on farms. To achieve this, it will be necessary to identify viable hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technologies adaptable to on-farm conditions in order to design and build a modular and autonomous HTC system. The hydrothermal process will be optimized to obtain a hydrochar, with potential applications in agricultural soils to improve their physicochemical and biological properties, and in livestock farming to enhance environmental quality.

A carbonaceous, sanitized and highly stable material with a large specific surface area, with potential application in agricultural soils to improve their physical-chemical and biological properties, and in livestock farming to improve environmental quality in production.

We will evaluate the composition of the hydrochar obtained for its applicability in livestock and agriculture. To this end, the hydrocarbons obtained in activity A.2 will be characterized to verify that they can be certified as biochar and that they meet the necessary conditions for compliance with REACH regulations for biochar. The characterization includes the following laboratory tests: Elemental analysis of solid compounds (C, N, O, H); Determination of heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg, Zn, Cr, As); Determination of H/C and O/C ratios; Evaluation of organic carbon content; Determination of surface area using the BET isotherm; pH and conductivity; Water holding capacity (WHC); 16 EPA PAHs and 8 EFSA PAHs; Benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(j)fluoranthene; PCBs, PCDD/F.

Four biofertilizers derived from CLEANFARM&SOIL hydrochar, designed to improve soil quality by supplying nutrients, increasing its hydrophysical properties (available water), and promoting soil biodiversity. The objective is to formulate and validate high-value-added products derived from hydrothermal carbonization (hydrocarbons) for use as biofertilizers in agricultural soil. Mixtures will be designed for the formulation of CLEANFARM&SOIL biofertilizers using the following ingredients:

a) livestock compost; b) nitrogen-rich additives (urea and blood meal); c) phosphorus-rich additives (MAP, bone meal, and struvite); d) CLEANFARM&SOIL hydrochar in increasing doses (0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10% by weight of sfg). Pellet batteries will be designed with factorial variation of the ingredients to obtain blends with a target NPK fertilizer capacity of 5.5-5-5, generating two production lines for i) conventional agriculture and ii) organic agriculture. The physical properties and quality of the pellets will be determined according to UNE standards, as well as a chemical characterization.

A product capable of absorbing slurry, reducing ammonia emissions, and improving environmental quality in livestock production. The objective is to develop and validate high-value-added products derived from hydrothermal carbonization (hydrocarbons) for use as agricultural soil remediation materials through pesticide fixation and degradation. The adsorption-desorption isotherms of the pesticides will be determined through laboratory tests, and prototypes that maximize irreversible retention after 72 hours of interaction will be selected.

A product derived from CLEANFARM&SOIL hydrochar with the capacity to absorb liquid excrement in the bedding of pig and poultry housing, reduce ammonia emissions, and improve environmental quality in livestock production. The objective is to validate hydrocarbons derived from hydrothermal carbonization for application in livestock farming as bedding material and an ammonia-reducing agent. To this end, different applications of CLEANFARM&SOIL hydrochar will be carried out in livestock housing at varying rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 g/m² of housing) to analyze its capacity to: - Absorb moisture and organic liquids. - Retain nitrogen compounds and reduce ammonia volatilization. - Improve hygiene and animal comfort.

Development of promotional materials. • Logo and visual identity design for the project • Publications and merchandising, such as A5 flyers, brochures, • Posters (A3 and digital format) and roll-up banners • Creation of the project website and listings on the AKIS and EU-FarmBook platforms, and maintenance with information, news, and results publications • Publication of the project award press release on the i+Porc website and social media, and other GO members

Promotion at major industry events for professionals in the agricultural and livestock sector, with a focus on the swine production sector. Business associations, agricultural cooperatives, etc. • Promotion at trade fairs (SEPOR, FIGAN, ANAPORC…) and other events (congresses, seminars…). • Promotion at the General Assembly of the Spanish Swine Producers Cluster.

Dissemination through corporate tools for professionals in the agricultural and livestock sector, with a focus on the swine production sector. Business associations, agricultural cooperatives, etc. Corporate communication channels: - i+Porc website and news blog and other GO members - Social media posts from i+Porc and other GO members: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook - Online press: 3 publications in the official i+Porc newsletter. Publications: More than 15 technical and informative articles, technical sections, etc., will be published in journals, platforms, websites, social media, etc.

Media relations related to the agricultural and livestock sector, and especially the swine sector: Sending 2 press releases to specialized media outlets - Managing the publication of project progress in sector magazines (e.g., Tierras de Porcino, Portal Veterinaria, Heraldo del Campo, etc.) Preparation of a communication report with the activities carried out

Transfer of results aimed at professionals in the agricultural and livestock sector, with a focus on the pig production sector. Business associations, agricultural cooperatives, etc. Delivery of presentations and/or talks at 2 different events to present and disseminate the objectives and results of the project, and presentation at the monthly sessions of the i+Porc innovation working group, which brings together R&D managers from producing companies and the innovation ecosystem of the Spanish pig sector.