In BIO², our work is organised into nine collaborative Work Packages (WPs). Each WP contributes to our shared goal: replacing contentious inputs in organic farming with safe, effective, and circular alternatives.
WP1
Alternative Materials for Crop Protection
WP Leader: Roberto Foschino, Università degli Studi di Milano (UMIL)
Partners: ACIB, ROMB, NEIKER, NOFIMA, CNR, AZTI, Fertinagro
Partners: ACIB, ROMB, NEIKER, NOFIMA, CNR, AZTI, Fertinagro
What it's about
WP1 develops sustainable crop protection products that replace copper- and sulfur-based fungicides in organic farming. The focus is on using beneficial microbes, bioactive molecules from microalgae and cyanobacteria, seaweed extracts, and fish-derived calcium to create effective biocontrol formulations. These innovations aim to protect crops from fungal diseases while preserving soil and ecosystem health.
What we do
This work package identifies promising microbial strains and algal-based molecules with antifungal effects, extracts natural encapsulating materials from seaweed and fish side-streams, and formulates stable, scalable biocontrol agents. The final goal is to produce one pilot-scale, field-ready product, ready for testing under real organic farming conditions in WP4.
Bioreactor
Pseudomona bacteria in roots
Yeast and bacterial cells
Yeast cells
Mould
Effect of BCA in grapeberries
WP2
Alternative Materials for Crop Nutrition
WP Leader: Alessio Adamiano, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
Involved Partners: CNR, Sanitation360, NORSØK, ROMB, NOFIMA, Fertinagro, Uni Rostock, ACIB, AZTI, Rovensa, Grønn Gjødsel
Involved Partners: CNR, Sanitation360, NORSØK, ROMB, NOFIMA, Fertinagro, Uni Rostock, ACIB, AZTI, Rovensa, Grønn Gjødsel
What it's about
This work package develops and scales up innovative, bio-based fertilizers tailored for organic farming. The focus lies on recovering nutrients from circular sources — including fish residues, seaweed, recycled human urine, and beneficial microbes. These materials are processed into specialized nitrogen- and phosphorus-based formulations that meet the specific needs of different organic crops.
What we do
WP2 builds new supply chains for marine and waste-based inputs, stabilizes and pelletizes urine using struvite and calcium phosphate, and produces microbial and enzymatic products like phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and fish protein hydrolysates. Two complete fertilizer prototypes will be tested under real farming conditions later in the project.
WP3
Alternatives to Antiparasitic and Antibiotic Pharmaceuticals in Livestock
Lead Partner: Berit M. Blomstrand, Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture (NORSØK)
Involved Partners: NEIKER, NOFIMA
What it's about
WP3 focuses on replacing veterinary pharmaceuticals in organic livestock — specifically antiparasitic drugs (anthelmintics) and antibiotics. The extensive use of these substances can lead to resistance, contaminate soil and water, and conflict with organic principles. The goal is to provide natural, effective alternatives that safeguard both animal health and the environment.
What we do
This work package develops bark-based antiparasitic formulations for lambs and microbial immunostimulants made from inactivated mycobacteria and corynebacteria to strengthen immune defences. We assess efficacy and safety in laboratory trials, while scaling up production to ensure availability for animal studies in WP6.
Bark against coccidiosis in lambs
Lab work: antiparasitic trial
Bark extract
WP4
Testing of Crop Protection Innovative Products and Techniques
Lead Partner: Miriam Pinto, Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario (NEIKER)
Involved Partners: NORSØK, AREI, Fertinagro, AVA-ASAJA, ROMB, NLR
Involved Partners: NORSØK, AREI, Fertinagro, AVA-ASAJA, ROMB, NLR
What it's about
WP4 evaluates the efficacy and environmental impact of the new crop protection products developed in WP1. These include biocontrol agents based on beneficial microbes and natural substances intended to replace copper and sulfur in organic farming. The goal is to test these innovations in both controlled and real field conditions across diverse crops and European regions.
What we do
We determine the efficacy and optimal dosage of the different products from WP1 in four representative crops under controlled conditions. In parallel, we conduct field trials on potatoes, strawberries, wheat, and grapes to assess disease resistance, yield, and quality under real organic farming conditions. Environmental monitoring evaluates impacts on soil and water. This WP ensures that promising biocontrol solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with organic farming needs. Results feed directly into validation (WP7) and farmer outreach (WP8).
WP5
Testing of Alternative Fertilizer Products
Lead Partner: Laura Zanin, Università degli Studi di Udine (UNIUD)
Involved Partners: AREI, AVA-ASAJA, NIBIO, NLR, NORSØK, Rovensa, Uni Rostock
Involved Partners: AREI, AVA-ASAJA, NIBIO, NLR, NORSØK, Rovensa, Uni Rostock
What it's about
WP5 assesses the performance of bio-based fertilizers developed in WP2 under controlled and real-world conditions. These trials aim to validate the agronomic effectiveness and practical applicability of fertilizers derived from recycled bioresources, such as fish by-products, seaweed, urine, and microbes.
What we do
Controlled trials are run on wheat, potatoes, grapes, and strawberries using growth chambers and experimental fields to assess fertilizer performance under both normal and drought-stress conditions. In parallel, we build a Europe-wide network of organic farmers to test the fertilizers under real-world conditions. Field trials evaluate crop yield, health, and soil impact. The data generated feeds directly into WP7’s environmental and economic sustainability assessments.
WP6
In Vivo and Ex Vivo Testing of Innovative Products with Antiparasitic and Immunostimulatory Effects
Lead Partner: Natalia Elguezabal, Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario (NEIKER)
Involved Partners: NORSØK
Involved Partners: NORSØK
What it's about
WP6 tests the efficacy and safety of the animal health products developed in WP3. The focus is on reducing antibiotic and antiparasitic drug use in organic livestock by evaluating natural alternatives that can help prevent disease and improve animal welfare.
What we do
We assess bark-based antiparasitic pastes and pellets in lambs and screen microbial immunostimulants from inactivated mycobacteria and corynebacteria for their potential to prevent infections in ruminants. Natural compounds such as bark extracts and polysaccharides are also evaluated for their use in teat sealants — aiming to reduce the risk of mastitis. Throughout, we adjust dosage and delivery methods to optimise efficacy and ensure animal safety, preparing the best candidates for further regulatory and field validation.
Bark extracts against coccidiosis in lambs
Faecal sampling lambs
Ovine Eimeria oocysts
Ovine Eimeria oocysts
WP7
Sustainability Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement
Lead Partner: Agnese Hauka, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI)
Involved Partners: AZTI, CNR, Sofia University, NEIKER, Fertinagro, NIBIO, NORSØK, Uni Udine, Grønn Gjødsel, Uni Rostock, AVA-ASAJA, Rovensa, ACIB, ROMB
Involved Partners: AZTI, CNR, Sofia University, NEIKER, Fertinagro, NIBIO, NORSØK, Uni Udine, Grønn Gjødsel, Uni Rostock, AVA-ASAJA, Rovensa, ACIB, ROMB
What it's about
WP7 evaluates whether BIO2’s solutions are environmentally safe, economically viable, and accepted by farmers and other stakeholders. It covers toxicological testing, sustainability analysis, and farmer outreach, ensuring that innovations meet regulatory and real-world expectations.
What we do
We assess the environmental impact using life cycle analysis, test potential health risks in lab models mimicking human exposure, and analyse the economic feasibility of BIO2 products. We also develop training tools and toolboxes to help farmers and industries adopt these innovations — directly linking to the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.
WP8
Dissemination, communication, and exploitation and collaboration with other initiatives
Lead Partner: Katharina Schwaiger, acib GmbH (ACIB)
Involved Partners: Innovation-Acta, Sofia University, CNR, NORSØK, AVA-ASAJA, all partners
Involved Partners: Innovation-Acta, Sofia University, CNR, NORSØK, AVA-ASAJA, all partners
What it's about
WP8 ensures BIO2’s results reach the right people — from farmers and scientists to policymakers and the public — and that outcomes are translated into real-world use. It also supports knowledge protection and strategic collaborations.
What we do
We build BIO2’s identity through a website, social media, videos, podcasts, and events. We communicate findings through articles, scientific publications, and public events, while also creating targeted outreach for farmers. We utilize key platforms developed by the organic sector — such as Organic E-prints and Organic Farm Knowledge — to ensure accessibility and long-term visibility of our outputs, including practical abstracts, newsletters, and deliverables. In parallel, we develop strategies for exploitation and IP management and engage with EU initiatives — including our sister project SCALE-it — to multiply impact.
WP9
Project Management
Lead Partner: Alessio Adamiano, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
Involved Partners: All partners
What it's about
WP9 provides the backbone for BIO2’s success — ensuring efficient project execution, smooth collaboration, and compliance with EU standards.
What we do
We manage the day-to-day coordination, track progress, handle finances and reporting, and ensure quality assurance across all WPs. This includes legal and ethical compliance, risk mitigation, and oversight of data protection and open science principles.
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