{"id":33095,"date":"2026-04-17T15:12:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T12:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/econutri-project.eu\/13-14-april-2026-unito-hackathon-summary\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:12:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T12:12:59","slug":"13-14-april-2026-unito-hackathon-summary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/econutri-project.eu\/hu\/13-14-april-2026-unito-hackathon-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"13\u201314 April 2026 – UNITO Hackathon summary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

The event was structured into several thematic sessions dedicated to sustainable nutrient management and the valorization of biomass waste in agriculture, bringing together researchers, technicians, institutional representatives, and sector operators. Over the two days, scientific, technological, regulatory, and economic aspects related to the circular economy were addressed, with particular attention to nitrogen and phosphorus recovery, optimization of anaerobic digestion, development of biorefineries, and soil health monitoring. The presentations and discussions encouraged exchange between research experiences and practical case studies, highlighting opportunities and challenges in adopting sustainable practices. The meeting therefore represented a moment of dialogue and collaboration among different stakeholders, aimed at identifying shared solutions to improve nutrient management and promote more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.<\/p>\n

First session, morning of 13 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professor Luisella Celi opened the session with an overview of the topics and presented technologies for managing waste biomass and recovering nutrients. In a context marked by climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, the circular economy represents a key strategy. The ECONUTRI project aims to optimize and validate innovative technologies to reduce nutrient losses, including ammonia stripping, acidification of pig slurry, and improved anaerobic digestion.
Marco Bergese then presented his company, Erbalatte, which has undertaken a renewal path focused on quality and sustainability, changing its approach to agriculture and livestock feeding. From this choice came the Symbiotic Agriculture project, through which the company replaced 95% of mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers, representing a concrete example of sustainable agriculture. This case study initiated a discussion on the possible replacement of mineral fertilizers with organic ones, highlighting benefits in terms of material recycling, support for biodiversity, and improvement of soil health. Overall, the meeting reflected an integrated effort aimed at combining scientific, technical, and regulatory aspects to improve nutrient management in agriculture.<\/p>\n

Second session, afternoon of 13 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alice Boarino presented technologies developed within the ECONUTRI project, based on pretreatment of biomass entering the anaerobic digester. These include hydrodynamic cavitation and the use of enzymes, which promote phosphorus solubilization in digestate, allowing more balanced nutrient ratios and more efficient recovery through struvite precipitation. The main challenges related to implementing struvite precipitation were also discussed, including scaling phenomena in pipelines observed in other facilities. In this regard, the need for pilot- and industrial-scale testing to evaluate operational feasibility was emphasized. It was also highlighted that pretreatments may variably influence biogas production, depending on the type of substrate used.
Subsequently, Manfred Gius provided an overview of the Biogas Wipptal plant in Vipiteno, considered a model facility in northern Italy. The plant treats large volumes of manure and organic waste to produce biomethane, organic fertilizers, and purified water. Operational logistics, active participation of farmers, and key challenges related to soil management, spreading windows, and acceptance by the local population were illustrated. The ideological motivations behind the plant\u2019s development and the importance of regulatory stability and adequate political incentives to encourage similar investments were also emphasized.
The discussion then shifted to economic and operational aspects, highlighting the plant\u2019s dependence on bio-LNG sales and logistical partnerships necessary to ensure financial sustainability. Participants stressed the importance of local community involvement, environmental monitoring, and emerging trends related to regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration, which could influence future practices.<\/p>\n

Third session, morning of 14 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a brief recap of previous discussions on anaerobic digestion and nutrient balance, Professor Elio Padoan introduced the topic of biorefineries and processes for converting agro-livestock and urban waste into fertilizers and biostimulants. The presentation emphasized the integration of different biomass streams and their current underutilization, highlighting opportunities offered by innovative approaches focused on value recovery and closing nutrient cycles.
Subsequently, Giovanni Pesce and Roberta Dotto, representatives of the CIDIU consortium, illustrated the activities of the organization serving 17 municipalities in the Turin area. In particular, the aerobic composting process adopted was described, which allows the production of certified compost distributed locally at symbolic prices, with the aim of concretely supporting circular economy principles. Breakout group sessions encouraged direct discussion on key practical challenges related to implementing these solutions, including economic sustainability, barriers to technological adoption, and regulatory aspects.
Group discussions addressed economic sustainability, technological barriers, and regulatory issues. Difficulties faced by small-scale farms, the need for regional coordination, and problems related to contaminants and treatment costs were highlighted. Market acceptance of biofertilizers and the cultural shift from viewing waste as a resource were also discussed, emphasizing the added value of even small biomass fractions.<\/p>\n

Fourth session, afternoon of 14 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professor Daniel Said Pullicino opened the session by highlighting the need to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers due to their low nitrogen use efficiency, economic volatility linked to natural gas prices, and increasing regulatory pressures such as those foreseen by the European Green Deal, which aims for a 20% reduction by 2030. The importance of strengthening the resilience of the agricultural system was emphasized, considering the trade-offs required by adopting more environmentally sustainable practices.
Professor Maria Martin then presented an in-depth analysis of the phosphorus cycle, highlighting how current agricultural systems interrupt the natural cycle of this element, leading to accumulation in soils, particularly in intensive agricultural areas such as the Po Valley. It was observed that organic fertilizers often have unbalanced nitrogen-phosphorus ratios, making it complex to replace mineral fertilizers without risking phosphorus over-application and consequent environmental impacts. The speaker also emphasized persistent cultural resistance, especially in the fruit-growing sector, to reducing phosphorus fertilization despite already high soil levels.
Simone Pelissetti, from App to Farm, illustrated the role of monitoring and technology transfer in linking research to agricultural practice. Data were presented showing that efficient organic fertilization can achieve environmental impacts comparable to mineral fertilization when good agronomic practices and advanced distribution technologies are adopted, particularly to reduce ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emissions.
Jacopo Maffia presented a regional-scale modeling initiative in Piedmont aimed at simulating nitrate leaching into groundwater to support implementation of the European Nitrates Directive. The model integrates detailed environmental and agronomic data, simplifies crop rotations to represent regional variability, and shows promising correlations with measured nitrate concentrations, providing a useful tool for policy development and mitigation strategies.
Regional representatives illustrated agri-environmental measures aimed at promoting the use of organic fertilizers, while highlighting critical issues such as imbalances in nutrient ratios of effluents and persistence of agricultural practices oriented toward continued phosphorus inputs. Spatial variability of phosphorus accumulation and the need for more balanced nutrient management were also emphasized.
The discussion also extended to political and social sensitivities related to limits on livestock production. In this context, the importance of communication, training, and involvement of input suppliers and retailers was reiterated to encourage more sustainable nutrient management practices.
Professor Luisella Celi concluded the session by emphasizing the start of an ongoing dialogue among researchers, authorities, farmers, and stakeholders, aimed at identifying practical and sustainable solutions capable of balancing agricultural productivity, environmental and economic sustainability, and cultural factors.<\/p>\n

Programme<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Photos<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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