Digestate is the material left after manure, crops or other organic feedstocks have been used to produce biogas. It retains nutrients that farmers can use to grow crops. For nitrogen, the important distinction is how readily plants can use it.
Bound within organic material. It must be broken down before crops can absorb it, making the timing of its release less predictable.
Already in forms available to plants. “Mineral” describes its chemical form: this nitrogen can be present in digestate as well as manufactured fertiliser.
Digestion converts some organic nitrogen into mineral forms. Separating the digestate into liquid and solid fractions can then produce a liquid containing readily available nitrogen and relatively little organic material. This explanation is consistent with the JRC’s earlier SAFEMANURE assessment.[3]
The JRC highlights certain liquid fractions obtained through centrifugation, a process that separates material by spinning it. Fractions with high mineral nitrogen content and little carbon relative to nitrogen can deliver crop-fertilising performance similar to synthetic fertilisers.
The finding supports partial substitution of purchased fertiliser. It does not establish that every digestate, or every separated liquid fraction, will perform equally well.[4]
Digestate composition varies with the materials entering the digester, subsequent treatment and storage. Soil conditions and field management also affect its performance.
A plant therefore needs evidence about its own output. The label “liquid digestate” alone does not demonstrate consistent fertiliser quality or regulatory eligibility. The JRC calls for material-specific criteria and safeguards before broader recognition.[1]
The main risks are straightforward. The JRC consequently links wider use to suitable feedstocks, processing, storage and field application.[1][4]
RENURE means “recovered nitrogen from manure”. It provides a route for qualifying processed manure products to replace manufactured nitrogen fertiliser beyond the ordinary manure allowance. Member States choose whether to authorise this route through national implementation.[5]
Limits nitrogen applied through livestock manure, including processed manure, where the relevant Nitrates Directive action programme applies.
Allows additional nitrogen from qualifying recovered products, subject to national authorisation and safeguards.
The rules apply in nitrate-vulnerable zones, or across a country where its government applies the action programme nationally.
The combined figures do not establish a general entitlement to apply 250 kg of nitrogen. Fertilisation must still comply with crop requirements and other restrictions. For example, if a farm’s nutrient plan leaves room for only 40 kg N/ha of additional fertiliser, the 80 kg RENURE ceiling does not justify applying the full amount.[6]
The proposed expansion concerns additional eligible products
Existing rules under Commission Directive (EU) 2026/288 recognise three specified outputs. Selected centrifuged liquid digestates are the focus of the proposed expansion. Under current rules, suitable nitrogen composition alone does not place them within the recognised list of production outputs.[6]
The clearest opportunity is for manure-based plants supplying farms that have reached the manure-nitrogen ceiling but still need nitrogen for their crops. Qualifying liquid digestate could replace fertiliser those farms currently purchase.
This is a commercial inference from the proposed substitution mechanism.[2]
Recognition of qualifying centrifuged liquids could give some plants an alternative to further nitrogen-recovery treatment. However, centrifugation itself adds equipment and electricity costs; the EU CAP Network reports higher costs and energy demand than screw pressing.[7]
The published JRC summary provides no standard saving per plant.
Separation generally leaves more readily available nitrogen in the liquid and concentrates phosphorus and organic matter in the solids (see the separation step in 01).[7]
A better outlet for the liquid therefore does not solve the whole digestate problem. Plants must retain a compliant outlet for the solids. Where surrounding soils already contain excessive phosphorus, transporting those solids elsewhere may remain necessary.
The 19 October proposal faces a one-month feedback period, followed by a required qualified-majority endorsement in the Nitrates Committee and three months of European Parliament and Council scrutiny before possible adoption.[2]
- 16 Oct 2026 JRC research published. Fertiliser limits unchanged.
- 19 Oct 2026 · Now Commission proposal; consultation opens. One-month feedback period.
- Not scheduled Nitrates Committee. Qualified-majority endorsement required.
- Three months European Parliament and Council scrutiny, then possible adoption.
- Spring 2027 Commission ambition to provide practical solutions. A target, not a confirmed application date.
- Member States National implementation. Each Member State chooses whether to authorise the RENURE route.