Modern hydroponics offers high productivity and lower water use, but it relies heavily on synthetic fertilisers derived from natural gas – expensive and environmentally taxing. This project explored whether manure from Luxembourg’s dairy and meat farms could serve as a local, sustainable nutrient source for hydroponic systems.

Led by Fësch Haff Sàrl, the project used their proprietary AMaNDA technology to upcycle manure into a clean, nutrient-rich fertiliser. In the initial trial (Phase 0), the team successfully produced a nutrient solution comparable to a standard full fertiliser (Hoagland solution) after just seven days of processing. Only 7.3 litres of manure were needed to generate 100 litres of hydroponic fertiliser, with no unexpected nitrogen losses during conversion.

The fertiliser was tested in a small hydroponic system growing lettuce and chilli plants. Both crop yield and quality exceeded those of conventional hydroponic setups. E. coli levels in the nutrient solution were effectively reduced using ozone treatment, ensuring plant safety.

The project demonstrated not only technical feasibility but also the potential to reduce waste, create local fertiliser supply chains and diversify farmers' incomes. Further research will investigate scalability, economic viability and pathogen control.