3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. is proud to announce that its ground-breaking SMART-ABC project has been selected for funding under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pre-Accelerator Widening initiative.
For many years, the company has been an internationally recognised pioneer in the development, engineering design and industrialisation of unique high-tech, zero-emission and energy-independent 3R (Recycling–Recovery–Reuse) circular solutions. Its specialised focus is on market-competitive phosphorus recovery technologies that enable economically viable and environmentally sound compound biofertiliser and advanced adsorbent products.
The SMART-ABC project is an important innovation programme supporting the industrial scale-up and commercial deployment of the company’s mature 3R technology portfolio, with a strategic focus on high-value markets in the European Union, the United States, Australia and Japan.
Prestigious European Recognition
EIC Accelerator supports the development and scale-up of game-changing innovations toward high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and market deployment, with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. is honoured to be among only 70 early-stage deep-tech companies selected from 22 countries in the first-ever EIC Pre-Accelerator programme. In this highly competitive call, approximately EUR 32.5 million was awarded to companies developing breakthrough technologies with strong scientific foundations and exceptional market potential.
The EIC Pre-Accelerator is designed to help promising deep-tech companies advance their technologies, strengthen business and investment readiness toward FOAK (First-of-a-Kind) industrial and commercial-scale deployment, and prepare for follow-on funding opportunities, including the EIC Accelerator.
SMART-ABC: A Revolutionary Deep-Tech Platform for Water Treatment and Nutrient Recovery
The SMART-ABC project (Smart Animal Bone bioChar) introduces a novel dual-engineered carbon–mineral platform based on ABC Animal Bone bioChar, an original and intellectual property-protected technology developed by 3R-BioPhosphate Ltd.
The innovation simultaneously modifies both the carbonaceous matrix and the Hydroxyapatite mineral phase of animal bone char, creating a highly selective and regenerable adsorbent for advanced water treatment applications.
The resulting material is expected to deliver:
- At least 3× higher phosphate and ammonium adsorption capacity
- Significantly faster adsorption kinetics
- More than 85% regeneration efficiency over multiple reuse cycles
- Closed-loop nutrient recovery
- Production of nutrient-enriched regenerative biofertilisers
This breakthrough technology transforms an underutilised bio-based resource into a high-value critical raw material platform supporting sustainable water treatment and regenerative agriculture.
Industrial Pilot Demonstration
Building on previously proven demonstrated progressive results, full industrial EU REACH certification of lawfullness and Authority approvals to fully meet regulations, the project will scale up the SMART-ABC surface modification solution through industrial pilot demonstration.
The development combines advanced surface engineering, AI-assisted optimisation, circular nutrient recovery and investment-readiness activities to accelerate commercial deployment.
Strategic Alignment with EU Priorities
SMART-ABC directly supports major European policy objectives, including:
- Circular Economy Action Plan
- Zero Pollution Strategy
- Climate Neutrality
- Critical Raw Materials Act
- Energy and Raw Material Independence
ABC Animal Bone bioChar is recognised as a bio-based critical raw material under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252, further reinforcing the strategic importance of the technology.
Building a Globally Competitive Deep-Tech Venture
The project will enable 3R-BioPhosphate to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio, validate its business model, attract strategic partnerships and mobilise private and public investment for international scale-up.
The ultimate objective is to establish SMART-ABC as a globally competitive European technology platform for advanced water treatment, nutrient recovery and regenerative fertiliser production.
About 3R-BioPhosphate Ltd.
3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. is a deep-tech company specialised in state-of-the-art high-temperature pyrolysis, cutting-edge circular bioeconomy solutions, unique phosphorus recovery and advanced carbon materials. The company develops breakthrough technologies that convert underutilised biomass into market competitive high-value products for environmental and wide range of user demanded industrial applications.