INNOVFUND Project with BioFertiCol B.V.
Background
BioFertiCol began developing an innovative solution to one of agriculture’s longstanding environmental challenges: inorganic fertilisers. While these conventional fertilisers are essential for achieving high crop yields, they are also significant contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil degradation and water pollution. BioFertiCol envisioned a more sustainable alternative: organic fertilisers derived from food and beverage industry residues. This circular approach promised to reduce environmental harm and align with the European Union’s broader climate goals.
With full-scale production targeted for 2027, BioFertiCol applied for funding from the EU Innovation Fund (INNOVFUND), one of the world’s largest funding programs for low-carbon technologies. Backed by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, INNOVFUND aims to accelerate the decarbonization of European industries by supporting projects that demonstrate significant GHG reductions and technological maturity. To meet the fund’s stringent requirements, BioFertiCol had to develop a GHG emissions calculator that could accurately compare the environmental impact of their organic fertiliser with that of a conventional reference product over 10 years.
To achieve this, BioFertiCol partnered with MCS. Deloitte joined the collaboration as the proposal consultant, guiding the team through the technical and strategic aspects of the funding application. The project ran from October 2024 to April 2025, culminating in the submission of BioFertiCol’s INNOVFUND proposal.
The Challenge
To qualify for INNOVFUND support, applicants must meet a rigorous set of technical and regulatory requirements—including developing a GHG calculator that adheres to a specific framework. This calculator not only needed to demonstrate accurate emissions reductions but also to reflect the broader sustainability impact of the project. For BioFertiCol, that meant designing a model that captured the environmental benefits of repurposing food and beverage industry residues into organic fertiliser. The calculator had to show how this process supports key pillars of sustainable agriculture while delivering measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Solutions
MCS approached the project with a holistic strategy to meet INNOVFUND requirements and deliver a robust GHG calculator. MCS and BioFertiCol defined a robust reference scenario and identified the most suitable inorganic fertilizer for comparison. MCS then created a tailored data request template for BioFertiCol and aligned every calculator element with INNOVFUND guidelines. Through continuous collaboration and multiple iterations, MCS refined the model to reflect new inputs and insights, ensuring accuracy, transparency and regulatory compliance.
Our Approach
MCS approached the project with a focus on accuracy and transparency to develop a GHG calculator that addressed complex data and modeling challenges. Using the European Commission’s templates, the team organized large datasets and built a credible foundation for BioFertiCol’s funding application. The calculator captured the environmental benefits of BioFertiCol’s process, which repurposes food and beverage industry residues into organic fertilizer. This design supports key pillars of sustainable agriculture—soil health, nutrient recycling and resource efficiency—while reducing emissions and minimizing chemical runoff.
Drawing on experience with multiple GHG calculation methodologies, MCS ensured the model met INNOVFUND’s strict requirements while remaining adaptable to different frameworks. This versatility—combined with expertise across both voluntary and mandatory carbon markets—allowed the team to address complex data challenges and deliver a solution aligned with diverse compliance and reporting needs. By integrating technical rigor with sustainability impact, MCS helped position the project as both innovative and investment-ready.
The Results
The final result was a validated GHG calculator that BioFertiCol could use directly in their INNOVFUND application. This tool served as the basis for their proposal, showcasing the emissions savings and sustainability potential of their technology.
More broadly, the project contributes to the INNOVFUND’s goals by promoting the development of low-carbon technologies and encouraging the growth of climate-resilient industries. It sets a precedent for future circular economy initiatives, showing how innovation, regulatory alignment, and environmental purpose can come together to drive meaningful change—offering a blueprint for scaling circular solutions across Europe to support a greener future.