BioFertiCol is building ultramodern, circular fertilisers’ plant in Oostende
Large-scale €300 million investment creates 125 sustainable jobs and focuses on organic fertilisers
Today the official starting signal was given for the construction of BioFertiCol's revolutionary fertiliser plant in port Oostende. With an investment of more than EUR 300 million and the creation of 125 jobs, this ultra-modern site will become one of the largest suppliers of organic fertilisers in the Benelux and beyond. The plant heralds a new era for sustainable agriculture thanks to a fully circular process that no longer generates waste and drastically reduces CO2 emissions.
This investment plays a crucial role in the greening of Flemish agriculture and food industry. By processing organic by-product streams from the food industry into organic fertilisers, BioFertiCol helps both the food industry and agriculture to achieve stricter environmental standards and contributes to the broader European Green Deal targets.
Major innovation
BioFertiCol's innovative approach ensures minimum ecological footprint. The fertilisers produced at the new plant save significantly on CO2- emissions compared to traditional fertilisers. In addition, the entire production process operates according to the zero-loose principle, which means that no unnecessary waste is produced and recycling is vital.
To further reduce environmental impact, transport is largely via waterways in cooperation with De Vlaamse Waterweg and efforts are also being made to electrify road transport. Autonomous water trucks will be responsible for the supply and removal of raw materials and finished products, while electric trucks will be used for additional transport.
Within the production facility itself, state-of-the-art techniques are applied to save energy and work in a circular way. All used process water streams are fully recovered and filtered through a biofiltration system. In addition, the air in the production area is filtered and purified to ensure zero emissions.
Strong collaborations and strategic positioning
To achieve these ambitious goals, BioFertiCol works closely with leading partners from different sectors. The plant is being built by a partnership of contractor Cordeel from Temse and machine builder Meyland from Adegem, two companies with expertise in sustainable industrial construction projects. Moreover, the possibilities of an industrial steam network are being explored, with residual heat being cleverly reused in production processes. With its strategic location in port Oostende, the plant plays a key role in the circular economy and contributes to making the wider food and agriculture industry more sustainable. BioFertiCol will work with leading companies in the Flemish food industry to process their by-product streams into organic fertilisers.
"With this plant, we are setting a new standard in sustainable agricultural production. We are combining technological innovation and circular principles to provide a future-proof solution for the food and agriculture sector. This investment is important not only for our growth, but also for the future of sustainable food production in Flanders and Europe."
"Doing business in a rapidly changing market requires courage, vision and perseverance. We are particularly pleased to welcome BioFertiCol, who, with determination and innovation, turn residual streams into valuable raw materials again. This is not only good for the circular economy, but also for the wider maritime sector and the region as a whole."
In addition to the ecological benefits, the project creates significant economic added value for the region. The construction and operation of the plant will generate 125 direct and indirect jobs, from high-tech profiles to logistics functions.
With this investment, BioFertiCol is taking a big step forward in the transition to more sustainable agriculture. By focusing on innovation, circularity and collaboration, the company is positioning itself as a pioneer in the European circular economy of organic fertilisers.
