BioReME
Resource-efficient nutrient cycling and biofertilizers for rural vitality
Branch: Chemistry and bioeconomy
Duration: 1.1.2026–31.12.2028
Region: Central Ostrobothnia / National
Financed by: Etelä-Pohjanmaan liitto ja Keski-Pohjanmaan liitto
Budget: Kokonaisbudjetti 514 518 €, Centria 214 518 €
Further information: Päätoteuttaja SEAMK
Project Manager: Fabian Sander
Efficient nutrient cycling and new business opportunities from biofertilizers
The BioReME project responds to the structural change caused by the decline of peat production in South and Central Ostrobothnia by developing circular economy solutions based on the biogas ecosystem. The aim is to increase the efficiency of nutrient cycling, improve the circular economy, and create new business opportunities, especially for SMEs.
The project’s objectives support the green transition, energy self-sufficiency, and security of supply, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and imported fertilisers.
Research, pilots, and business-driven development
The project combines research, practical pilots, and business-driven development. The project focuses on two opportunities that have been underutilised so far: the use of straw and other plant biomass with significant biomethane potential in the biogas process, and the processing of digestion residues into high-quality, commercially viable recycled fertilisers.
The laboratory and pilot tests will result in new methods for biomass pre-treatment and digestion residue processing, recycled fertilisers suitable for piloting, and process models for describing nutrient cycling and fertiliser quality. In addition, business concepts will be developed around nutrient cycling as part of the reforming food and energy economy, which will support the renewal of business life, the energy transition, and regional self-sufficiency.
Vitality and new value chains for rural businesses
BioReME promotes the creation of new businesses, particularly in the SME sector, whose vitality has been significantly affected by the decline in peat production. The primary beneficiaries of the project are current and future value chain operators in the biogas ecosystem, such as SMEs in the energy and peat sectors, entrepreneurs who own feedstocks suitable for biogas production, companies that produce or are interested in producing biofertilizers, operators in the machinery and logistics operators, biogas producers, and developers of biogas-related technological solutions.
As part of the BioReME project, Centria is responsible for researching and piloting the processing of digestion residues into high-quality, commercially viable recycled fertilisers. Centria’s pilot-scale biogas plant produces 500-litre batches of digestion residue using different feed mixtures. In addition, the Chemistry Laboratory can analyse and compare unfermented biomass, unprocessed digestion residue, and various processed recycled fertilisers. These products are used in the project’s cultivation trials and practical testing, which supports the optimisation of nutrient cycling, the utilisation of pilot results, and the development of new business opportunities for SMEs.
The city of Kannus and the Kaustinen region are also co-funding the project.
For SEAMK, the city of Kurikka is co-funding the project.
