Research

Research firm CE Delft compared the environmental impact of thermal conversion of poultry manure with seven other applications by way of a life cycle analysis in which the impact of all steps from the poultry farm to the final application were mapped and compared. This study shows that using poultry manure for thermal conversion is the most attractive option. CE Delft indicates that there is still further scope for improvement, for example by recovering heat or residual heat and recycling the nitrogen.

Following the CE Delft study, the Nutrient Management Institute (NMI) assessed the end products of commonly used applications and processing methods for poultry manure in 2016. Their value and application for agriculture were considered in this assessment. The results showed that the poultry manure products studied, in both raw and processed form, are good basic fertilizers.

Research by WENR shows that poultry manure ash has a similar agronomic (agricultural) effectiveness to artificial fertilizers. Pot tests were conducted for this purpose in 2015. In 2017, the results of the pot tests were compared with other previously published scientific studies. These studies show that poultry manure ash is an effective alternative to artificial fertilizer.

In 2018-2019, researchers at KU Leuven investigated ways in which the components of poultry manure could also be reused and utilized. For example, as a raw material for animal feed or building materials. The study shows that other applications are certainly possible, but that there are still various technical and legal obstacles.