|
|
EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.
|
Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECN E-BULLETIN No. 3_2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New ECN Fact Sheets | March 2026
|
Turning Bio-Waste into Soil Health and Farming Solutions
|
ECN is proud to launch two new Fact Sheets demonstrating how compost from recycled bio-waste supports soil health, sustainable farming, and nutrient recycling.
|
|
|
|
Fact Sheet 1 – Compost & Soil Health Improvement: Evidence from Long-Term Trials
Decades of trials show that repeated compost application:
|
- Increases soil organic carbon
- Improves water retention and drought resilience
- Supports biodiversity and microbial activity
- Strengthens long-term crop productivity
|
|
|
Fact Sheet 2 – Compost in Farm Operations: Agronomic and Economic Relevance
Compost is a practical tool for resilient farming, helping to:
|
- Enhance long-term soil fertility
- Promote nutrient cycling and availability
- Reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers such as mineral fertilisers
- Support farm productivity and profitability
|
|
|
|
By turning bio-waste into compost, we close nutrient loops and build healthier soils for climate-smart and sustainable agriculture.
|
|
We encourage you to share these Fact Sheets with partners, colleagues, and farmers to promote sustainable soil management across Europe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Composting in Rural Environments Video Release
|
|
|
We are proud to share our second project video — a reflection of the journey we’ve taken over the past years.
This video is more than a summary. It captures the dedication, collaboration, and shared vision that brought this project to life.
|
|
|
|
|
From our thematic seminars — where ideas were exchanged, expertise was shared, and partnerships were strengthened — to the steady progress we achieved step by step. Throughout these years, we have not only built knowledge and networks, but also transformed ideas into action. The two pilot actions represent key milestones of this journey.
|
|
The project video comes with a new brochure. You can find them both here:
|
|
|
|
|
European Commission | Clean Industrial Deal
|
Commission presents the Industrial Accelerator Act
|
The Commission presented on 4 March a proposal for a Regulation called the Industrial Accelerator Act. This Act aims to increase demand for low-carbon, European-made technologies and products. It contains measures to create industrial manufacturing acceleration areas with faster permit procedures and it introduces Union origin and low-carbon requirements in public procurement.
Concerning biogas and biomethane technologies, which are considered as net-zero technologies, they are listed as strategic sectors for the acceleration areas. In addition, the proposal removes the obligation for contracting authorities to apply to these technologies minimum mandatory requirements regarding environmental sustainability during public procurement procedures. The proposal will now be discussed at the Parliament and the Council.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public consultation | Deadline: 7 May 2026
|
Second consultation open on the Omnibus package on environment
|
|
|
|
Following the publication of its Omnibus package on environmental measures in December, the Commission opened a new public consultation until 7 May. The aim is to inform the work of the Parliament and the Council. Once the consultation has concluded, the Commission will forward the feedbacks received to them.
|
|
You can find the consultation here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ProBio Study Confirms the Value of Compost in Organic Farming
|
Research confirms positive effects on Soil Fertility, Nutrient Cycling and long-term Carbon Storage
|
The final report of the five-year ProBio Project (2019–2025) confirms the important role of quality-assured compost from biowaste and green waste in organic farming. The study shows that compost contributes significantly to nutrient supply, humus formation, and long-term soil fertility, while also supporting soil biology, crop yields, and carbon sequestration in soils.
The research also demonstrates clear improvements in compost quality in recent years, particularly regarding reduced contamination and better process management. At the same time, the study identifies strong market potential for compost in organic agriculture, where demand for organic matter and nutrients remains high but compost is still underused.
The results provide practical recommendations to further optimise compost production and quality, highlighting the importance of high-quality inputs and efficient processing.
|
|
More on the full report: Link
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European Environment Agency | Climate mitigation and waste management
|
Publication of a report on the contribution of Circular Economy Actions for climate mitigation
|
|
A report published on 19 February showed a growing awareness of the potential for reducing CO2 emissions through better waste management. The authors estimated that better waste management could halve GHG emissions, placing it ahead of other sectors such as construction, transport, industry and agriculture. Recycling and separate waste treatment are identified as offering the greatest reduction potential, particularly through the reduction of incineration and landfill. Concerning biowaste, they also highlight that reducing food waste would significantly reduce the climate mitigation potential of biowaste treatment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcements
|
|
|
|
Save the Date I 8 June 2026
|
Annual Meeting 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the ICAW with your own event
|
|
The ICAW 2026 'International Compost Awareness Week' takes place on 3.-9. Mai 2026. This years theme is 'Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us'. ECN is celebrating the week together with the other partner organisations of the International Compost Alliance (ICA). ECN is is celebrating the week. This ICAW, activities related to composting are being planned and carried out worldwide. Some of our member organizations in Europe are planning targeted activities in cities, communities, or events at composting facilities. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration by holding their own event, which they can submit to ECN for promotion.
|
|
|
|
|
Soils for Europe Conference 2026 | 7–11 September 2026
|
Call for Abstracts Open until 31 March 2026
|
|
|
The Soils for Europe Conference 2026 will take place in Coimbra, Portugal, bringing together researchers, policymakers, land managers and practitioners to discuss innovations and solutions for healthy soils in Europe.
The conference will address key topics such as soil carbon, land degradation, soil biodiversity, pollution reduction, and new technologies for soil monitoring and management.
Abstract submission deadline: 31 March 2026
|
|
More information and submissions: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
Networking optopions at the annual conference of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform
|
|
The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform will hold its annual conference on 22-23 April in Brussels. This year's conference will focus on the upcoming Circular Economy Act and provide a high-level platform to discuss its ambitions, scope and policy direction. It will situate the CEA within the broader EU framework, investment needs and global developments.
|
|
This two-day event will be held in the Commission's Charlemagne building on the morning of 22 April, and in the EESC's Jacques Delors building from that afternoon.
|
|
The Platform is launching a call for expressions of interest in its always successful networking village. The projects must be clearly circular and both the submission and the booth must be in English.
|
|
Do you have a hands-on circular project you would like to promote, or an innovation you would like to share that could spark a conversation on enhancing the single market for circular products and services?
|
|
The ECESP Secretariat will assess the projects and contact the successful candidates on 8 April.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FertiCovery project | Online Workshop, 13 April 2026
|
Market and replication potential of fertilising products
|
|
|
|
The FertiCovery team organises its next workshop on the market and replication potential of fertilising products.
|
|
FertiCovery advances nutrient recovery and the production of bio-based fertilisers from secondary raw materials such as biowaste, manure and wastewater, with the aim of improving soil health. The project supports policymakers and stakeholders in adopting alternative fertilising products.
|
|
|
|
|
Its goal is to describe and assess 25 nutrient recovery and bio-based fertiliser technologies, including their feedstocks, value chains, products and applications. The analysis covers technical and environmental performance, feedstock availability, upscaling potential, regulatory frameworks, costs, social risks and replication potential.
|
|
Join our third workshop in a series, which aims to gather stakeholder feedback on each of the 25 selected technologies, with a focus on their upscaling potential and the regulatory frameworks governing them, including associated barriers and enablers.
|
The webinar is organised by the European Biogas Association, leading the FertiCovery work on market uptake.
|
|
More information on the workshop agenda: Link
|
|
|
|
|
ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference I 28-29 April 2026
|
ECN Presents New Fact Sheets on Long-Term Compost Benefits at ESNI-NERM 2026
|
|
|
ECN will showcase a poster on its new Fact Sheets during the upcoming ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference, the flagship event on nutrient recycling in Europe. The conference will take place on 28–29 April 2026 at Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Brussels, Belgium, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to share innovations in nutrient management.
ECN’s poster, titled “Compost as a Long-Term Fertilisation Strategy: Nutrient Supply, Soil Health, and Cost Savings Over 20 Years”, highlights results from multi-country analyses showing how repeated compost application can reduce mineral fertiliser use while improving soil health and fertility. The poster will emphasize long-term nutrient availability and cost savings, offering practical insights for integrated nutrient management strategies.
The presentation aligns with conference themes on agronomy, sustainability, and nutrient recycling, making it a key resource for those interested in practical, evidence-based approaches to soil fertility and circular nutrient solutions.
The poster session will occur alongside plenary and parallel sessions, giving attendees an opportunity to discuss ECN’s findings and explore the broader set of fact sheets on compost and soil health.
|
|
More information on the ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registration open I 8 June 2026
|
Open Platform on Biowaste 2026
|
|
The “Open Platform on Biowaste 2026” conference takes place in Stuttgart. This event is jointly organized by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy and the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for the Environment (LUBW). The aim of the event is to promote dialogue on challenges and solutions in the field of biowaste recycling and to identify ways to improve the circular economy through the exchange of information, experiences, and ideas among experts from industry, research, and politics. The conference will be held in German.
|
|
You can register here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date I 9 November 2026
|
Sustainable Substrate Day
|
Would you like to know more about research into cultivation substrates in various horticultural crops? Come to the Sustainable Substrates Day!
When: November 9, 2026
Where: VAC Ghent (at Ghent Sint-Pieters station, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
More info will follow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registration open I 11-12 November 2026
|
3rd Austrian Compost Congress
|
|
The Austrian Compost and Biogas Association is organizing the 3rd Austrian Compost Congress from November 11th to 12th, 2026, at the Francisco Josephinum in Wieselburg.
|
This year, you can once again expect interesting lectures and discussions. Well-known exhibitors from the composting sector will be present! 250 visitors are expected.
Key topics of the event will include:
|
- What are the latest developments in laws and standards in the composting sector?
- What are the key issues in the industry?
- Compost vs. composted soils vs. growing media
- What is the value of compost? (Practical reports)
- Technology presentations
|
Join us and register here. Further information can be found at: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.O.S Save Organics in Soil
|
This international initiative S.O.S. SOIL – Save Organics in Soil, led by the European Compost Network (ECN) and the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC), aims to highlight the importance of soil organic matter to encourage policy makers to develop instruments to move Europe towards implementing sustainable, climate proof soil management practices.
|
|
Sign the manifesto 'Save Organigs in Soil' here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECN-QAS Trade Mark No 011007168
Trade mark for certified quality assurance
organisations, compost and digestate products
according to ECN-QAS
Website: www.ecn-qas.eu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
