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An EU-funded research initiative is advancing the development of biodegradable agricultural materials designed to replace conventional plastics while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and chemical crop protection products.
The Horizon Europe-funded PHAntastic project, which runs from September 2024 to August 2028, has reported significant progress during its first phase as it works to create a new generation of sustainable agricultural inputs for European farming.
Bringing together 15 partners from seven European countries, the project is addressing two of agriculture's most pressing environmental challenges: the widespread use of fossil-based agricultural plastics and the dependence on synthetic agrochemicals, both of which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, water pollution and persistent microplastic contamination.
At the heart of the project is the development of biodegradable mulch films and nursery growth foams made from polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), a bio-based polymer from the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) family produced using agri-food processing residues. Unlike conventional polyethene-based agricultural plastics, the new materials are designed to biodegrade directly in soil after use, eliminating the need for collection and disposal.
Beyond replacing traditional plastics, the materials are also being engineered to function as controlled-release delivery systems for bio-based crop inputs. These include amino acid-based biostimulants, algae extracts, plant-derived elicitors and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), beneficial soil bacteria that can enhance crop development.
The technologies are initially being developed for horticultural crops, including lettuce and broccoli, as well as citrus and ornamental tree nurseries.
Carmen Fernández Ayuso, project coordinator at CETEC, said: "PHAntastic is transforming agricultural plastics into sustainable solutions that support crop growth, reduce pollution and safely biodegrade in soil."
During the project's first reporting period, researchers completed several key scientific milestones that lay the groundwork for future pilot demonstrations and field trials.
The consortium identified and characterised a range of promising bio-based active substances using a screening process that evaluated agronomic performance, compatibility with PHA materials and compliance with the European Union's Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.
Researchers also identified several PGPR candidates capable of both promoting plant growth and accelerating PHA biodegradation in soil, offering a dual-function solution that could improve the performance of biodegradable agricultural materials.
In addition, the project successfully produced two pilot-scale PHBV material grades using agri-food processing residues as feedstock, demonstrating the potential for circular manufacturing by converting food industry by-products into value-added agricultural materials.
Prototype mulch films have already shown mechanical performance comparable to commercially available biodegradable alternatives, while early testing of biodegradable growth foams has confirmed their suitability for carrying bio-based crop inputs and beneficial microorganisms.
The project aligns with several key EU policy initiatives, including the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Circular Economy Action Plan. It is also expected to support the implementation of the EU Fertilising Products Regulation, which aims to phase out non-biodegradable polymer coatings in fertiliser products.
Looking ahead, the consortium plans to scale up production and validate the materials under commercial farming conditions, with the goal of achieving Technology Readiness Level 6 by the project's conclusion in 2028.