Rovensa Next has joined BIO², a €6.4 million Horizon Europe project aiming to develop bio-based fertilisers and microbial solutions derived from renewable and circular sources.
The initiative brings together research and industry partners to convert underutilised resources – including marine byproducts, recycled nutrients and beneficial microorganisms – into scalable agricultural inputs. At least two fully circular biofertilisers are targeted for delivery by 2029.
As a key industrial R&D partner, Rovensa Next will contribute formulation, screening and field validation capabilities, helping to translate early-stage research into practical products.
Reducing reliance on pressured inputs
The project aims to address a central challenge in agriculture: maintaining productivity while reducing dependence on conventional inputs, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are under increasing environmental and regulatory scrutiny.
Dr Alessio Adamiano, BIO² project coordinator at Italy’s CNR, said the initiative aims to support both organic and conventional systems by promoting agroecological practices, healthier soils and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs.
For Rovensa Next, the programme aligns closely with EU Farm to Fork ambitions and broader efforts to accelerate the transition to resource-efficient, low-impact farming systems.
From lab to field: scaling circular solutions
A key differentiator of BIO² is its emphasis on real-world validation.
The consortium has established farmer networks across Germany, Latvia, Italy, Norway and Spain to test biofertiliser and biocontrol solutions under commercial conditions. Rovensa Next is already conducting greenhouse trials and planning field evaluations across crops including wheat, potato, strawberry and table grapes.
These trials will assess nutrient efficiency (nitrogen and phosphorus rates), microbial combinations, and soil versus foliar application strategies.
Alongside two biofertilisers, the project will also develop at least one biocontrol solution and one animal health product, with full agronomic and analytical data generated to support product development and future regulatory requirements.
Biologicals move from niche to infrastructure
BIO² comes amid momentum around biologicals, including biofertilisers and biocontrols.
While not viewed as a silver bullet, they are increasingly seen as a structurally important component of future farming systems, particularly as regulatory pressure reduces reliance on chemical inputs.
José Nolasco, Rovensa Next’s head of global R&D for bionutrition, said the project offers a way to translate circular materials and microbial solutions into practical applications that support long-term resilience.
Integration and data key to success
Crucially, BIO² reflects a broader shift towards integrated, system-based agriculture, where biological inputs are combined with data-driven agronomy, precision application, and improved crop genetics.
Camila Levy, R&D programme manager at Rovensa Next, said the focus is on solutions that work “in the field, not only in the laboratory”, highlighting the importance of combining scientific validation with farmer-led testing.
Building the next-generation pipeline
Rovensa Next said the project will support its ambition to “biosolutionise agriculture” by creating circular alternatives to conventional inputs.
The project also serves as a platform to benchmark and scale biofertiliser prototypes, while strengthening expertise in microbial and biomass-based solutions.
The data generated is expected to feed into future product pipelines, supporting both commercial development and EU regulatory frameworks.
Rovensa Next to distribute Novonesis biosolutions in US from 2027
The project follows news that Novonesis and Rovensa Next have announced a U.S. distribution agreement under which Rovensa Next will commercialise select Novonesis biosolutions from the 2027 growing season. The partnership expands Rovensa Next’s offering across the crop cycle, combining biostimulants, biofertilisers, bionutrition, biocontrol and adjuvants.
Rovensa Next said the move comes as North America’s biologicals market accelerates, citing projections that it will reach around $5.5bn by 2027, as growers seek targeted, science-based solutions that deliver both performance and sustainability outcomes.
Novonesis will continue to manufacture its products, leveraging more than a century of experience in biosolutions. The company highlighted strong momentum in crops such as soybeans and pulses.
For Rovensa Next, the agreement strengthens its position in a key growth market. The company has expanded its U.S. footprint through acquisitions including Oro Agri, Agro-K and Cosmocel, and now operates across both specialty and broad-acre systems, supported by an established national distribution network.
“Growers want solutions that are easy to use, proven to work, and deliver an ROI they can count on,” said Chuck Broughton, head of North America at Rovensa Next.
