At the start of 2018, the Biobased fertilisers Achterhoek project was launched. This project will run until 2021 and can count on broad support from governments, the agricultural sector as well as the business community and society. The main aim of the project is to make the fertilisation practice more sustainable by using regional recovered and recycled nutrients.

The Province of Gelderland, the ministry of Agriculture, the agricultural sector and parties from the manure and sludge processors, are the important drivers of the project. The government wants to reduce the input of chemical fertiliser and thus work on a circular economy and reduce the impact of fertilisation on the climate.

By working circular with regional nutrients, there is less transport of chemical fertiliser from outside the region. That makes a positive contribution to the environment. In addition, the project contributes to a better use of organic substances and the reuse of minerals from manure and sewage sludge.

The national government granted a four-year exemption for the regional pilot in the sixth Nitrate Action Programme. That makes it possible to work on replacing fossil and chemical fertiliser.