Each year, plagues and vegetal illnesses evoque million of losses on world agriculture
Every year, plant pests and diseases cause losses running into millions in global agriculture. For decades, the main tool for combating them has been the use of chemical plant protection products. However, the emergence of resistance, increasing regulatory restrictions and the need to protect biodiversity are driving the development of more selective and sustainable alternatives. Among these, one technology is attracting enormous interest: biopesticides based on RNA interference (RNAi).
What is RNA interference (RNAi)?
Although the name may seem complex, the way it works is based on a simple principle. Rather than indiscriminately eliminating a pest using a chemical compound, RNAi makes it possible to ‘silence’ specific genes that are essential for the pest’s survival or its ability to cause disease. This is a natural mechanism present in virtually all eukaryotes, which regulates the expression of certain genes via small double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. When these molecules are taken up by the target organism, they block the production of essential proteins and reduce its ability to grow, feed or infect the plant.
This high specificity is one of the greatest advantages of RNAi over conventional pesticides. Whilst a chemical insecticide may also affect beneficial insects or other organisms in the ecosystem, an RNAi-based biopesticide can be designed to act solely on a specific species or even on a specific biological process. Furthermore, RNA molecules degrade naturally in the environment, reducing the persistence of residues and their environmental impact.
Another particularly interesting feature is its flexibility. Once a key gene in the target organism has been identified, it is possible to design new RNA molecules in a relatively short time, making it easier to respond quickly to new pests or to organisms that have developed resistance to traditional treatments.
SIGS: apply RNAi through spraying
Currently, this technology can be applied using two main strategies. The first involves developing plants capable of producing these RNA molecules internally, an effective approach but one associated with the use of genetically modified organisms. The second, known as Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS), simply involves spraying dsRNA onto plants, in a similar way to a conventional plant protection treatment. Once deposited on the plant’s surface, the molecules can be absorbed by the pest or pathogen and trigger the gene silencing mechanism. This strategy offers great versatility, as it can be used on different crops, allows the timing of application to be determined, and avoids the need to genetically modify the plant.
Interest in this approach has grown rapidly in recent years and has already led to significant regulatory advances. In 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Ledprona, the first sprayable dsRNA-based biopesticide for the control of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), marking a milestone in the market launch of this technology. As with any emerging technology, there are still challenges that need to be resolved before it can be widely adopted. One of the main challenges is the stability of RNA, as these molecules can degrade rapidly due to ultraviolet radiation, rain, temperature or certain enzymes present both in the environment and in the target organisms themselves. It is also essential to select the correct gene to target, ensuring high efficacy and minimising any potential effects on non-target organisms. Consequently, much of the current research focuses on developing new formulations capable of protecting dsRNA using nanoparticles, liposomes or biological vesicles, as well as on optimising its large-scale production and advancing regulatory and environmental assessment processes.
The SUPERA project: how CARTIF is developing new RNAi-based solutions
In this context, CARTIF is actively involved in developing these new strategies through the SUPERA project (Sustainable plant health through RNAi to reduce the impact of diseases on agriculture and forests), coordinated by the University of Valladolid in collaboration with the CSIC and IDAI Nature. The aim of the project has been to develop innovative RNAi-based solutions to combat diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes that affect both agricultural crops and forest species. During the project, essential genes were identified in highly significant pathogens, such as Fusarium and Phytophthora, and specific dsRNA molecules were designed to reduce the expression of these genes. At the same time, production processes using bacterial fermentation were optimised, and encapsulation strategies were developed to improve the stability of the molecules and facilitate their application via foliar and root treatments, bringing this technology closer to future real-world applications in agriculture. The results obtained demonstrate that RNAi has evolved from being merely a tool for basic research into a technological platform with enormous potential for developing a new generation of biopesticides that are more precise, sustainable and environmentally friendly. Although there are still scientific and regulatory challenges to be overcome, all the signs suggest that, over the coming years, this technology will play an increasingly important role in integrated crop protection strategies, contributing to a more efficient and resilient agricultural sector that is aligned with the sustainability goals demanded by society.
The energy and digital transition is transforming our economy at an unprecedented rate. Electric vehicles, renewable energy, energy storage, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and smart grids are all technologies set to play a key role in the coming decades. However, they all have one thing in common: they rely on a range of raw materials, the availability of which has become a strategic concern worldwide.
Lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony and phosphorus are some examples of so-called critical materials – resources that are essential for the manufacture of batteries, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, semiconductors, fertilisers and numerous electronic devices. Their importance is such that the European Union regularly updates a list of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) to identify those resources whose scarcity or dependence on external sources could jeopardise the competitiveness and security of the European economy.
Europe is in a particularly vulnerable position. Although it consumes a significant proportion of these materials, it has limited capacity to produce and process them, relying heavily on imports from third countries. In some cases, virtually the entire supply is concentrated among a small number of international suppliers, giving rise to significant economic, industrial and geopolitical risks.
In Spain, we face the same situation. Although we have certain mineral resources and a long tradition of mining, we continue to rely heavily on imports to supply strategic sectors. This dependence is particularly significant in a context where demand for critical materials continues to grow, driven by the decarbonisation, electrification and digitalisation of the economy.
However, there is an opportunity that has remained in the background for decades. Beyond conventional geological resources, we have a vast quantity of valuable materials found in streams that we usually regard as waste or by-products. What has so far been seen as an environmental problem could become a strategic source of raw materials to strengthen our industrial autonomy.
When waste becomes a goldmine of opportunity
Traditionally, the extraction of raw materials has been associated with conventional mining. However, in recent years the concept of ‘urban mining’ has gained momentum; this approach views the waste generated by our society as genuine deposits of resources.
One of the most obvious examples is lithium-ion batteries. The exponential growth in electric vehicles and energy storage systems will mean that millions of batteries will reach the end of their useful life over the coming decades. This waste contains significant quantities of lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite – materials whose primary extraction is often associated with high economic, environmental and social costs
Extraction of materials from a lithium-ion battery at the end of its service life
Recovering these materials using advanced recycling technologies allows them to be reintroduced into the value chain, reducing the need to import new raw materials and minimising the environmental impact associated with their extraction.
A similar phenomenon occurs with photovoltaic panels. Although most existing installations remain in operation, the number of modules reaching the end of their useful life will increase significantly in the coming years. In addition to glass and aluminium, these panels contain silver, high-purity silicon and other strategic materials, the recovery of which can help to close the production cycle for new renewable technologies.
The enormous potential of electronic waste
Waste electrical and electronic equipment is another of the most promising sources of critical materials. Computers, mobile phones, televisions, telecommunications equipment and a wide range of other devices contain valuable metals which, in many cases, occur in higher concentrations than those found in some currently mined ore deposits.
Rare earths, indium, gallium, copper, gold, silver and palladium are just a few examples of the elements found in this electronic waste. However, a significant proportion continues to be lost due to inadequate collection systems or recycling processes that fail to recover all the materials present.
Improvements in separation, sorting and recovery technologies can transform this waste into one of Europe’s main sources of strategic raw materials.
The hidden legacy of mining
Paradoxically, some of the future sources of critical materials could be found precisely in the waste generated by past mining operations. For decades, mining produced enormous quantities of waste rock, spoil heaps and tailings ponds, the composition of which was assessed solely on the basis of the resources that were economically viable at the time. Many elements that we now consider critical had no commercial value at the time and were left stored in these deposits.
We now know that many types of mining waste contain significant concentrations of rare earth elements, cobalt, scandium, germanium, antimony and other strategic materials. The application of new characterisation and recovery technologies is enabling us to reconsider these environmental liabilities as potential resources.
So-called ‘reminería’ also offers an additional advantage: it enables the recovery of valuable materials whilst contributing to the environmental restoration of degraded areas, thereby reducing the risks associated with soil and water pollution. In Spain, which has a long history of mining, these deposits represent an opportunity that has yet to be fully explored.
Industries also harbour valuable resources
Numerous industrial processes generate waste streams with significant potential for the recovery of critical materials. Steel slag, steelworks dust, industrial ash, metallurgical sludge and certain types of waste from the chemical industry contain strategic elements which, in many cases, end up being used in low-value applications or even sent for disposal.
Hydrometallurgical, electrochemical and biotechnological processes are demonstrating that it is possible to recover materials such as zinc, vanadium, manganese, chromium, gallium and rare earths from these streams. This approach not only reduces the need for primary extraction, but also fits perfectly with the principles of the circular economy, where waste from one activity becomes a resource for another.
The case of spent catalysts used in the chemical, petrochemical and energy industries also deserves special attention. These materials contain metals of high economic value, the recovery of which is becoming increasingly attractive from both a technical and strategic perspective.
Phosphorus: a critical material for food sovereignty
When people talk about critical materials, they usually think of batteries, semiconductors or renewable technologies. However, one of Europe’s most strategic resources is phosphorus, which we might call ‘the jewel in the crown’.
This element is essential for the production of fertilisers and, consequently, for agriculture and food security. Unlike other resources, there is no known substitute for its biological function, which makes its availability a matter of global concern.
Europe is heavily dependent on imports of phosphate rock and phosphate fertilisers, which are concentrated in a small number of countries. Consequently, the recovery of phosphorus from secondary sources has become an increasing priority.
Sewage sludge, ash from its incineration, digestate produced in biogas plants, livestock manure and certain agri-food waste contain significant amounts of phosphorus that can be recovered and reused in the production of fertilisers.
As well as strengthening industrial self-sufficiency, these strategies help to improve our food sovereignty and reduce the pressure on limited natural resources.
The unseen resources of rivers, reservoirs and seas
There are also potential sources that have only just begun to attract attention. Sediments accumulated in rivers, reservoirs, harbours and coastal areas contain materials that have been transported over decades by industrial, mining and urban activities. At certain sites, these sediments contain significant concentrations of metals that could be recovered using appropriate technologies.
A waterproof membrane used in water treatment processes.
Regular dredging operations generate large volumes of material that are usually managed as waste or used for purposes with little added value. However, a more detailed characterisation could reveal currently untapped opportunities for recovery. A similar situation applies to certain seabeds, where the presence of minerals rich in manganese, nickel, copper or cobalt has sparked growing international interest. Although the direct exploitation of these resources poses significant environmental challenges, their existence highlights that there are still numerous potential sources yet to be investigated.
A matter of industrial sovereignty
Recovering critical materials from secondary sources will not completely eliminate the need for imports, nor will it replace conventional mining. However, it can play a decisive role in strengthening European industrial resilience and reducing our exposure to increasingly uncertain international markets.
To achieve this, it will be necessary to develop more efficient recovery and separation technologies, improve waste collection and traceability systems, promote favourable regulatory frameworks, and encourage collaboration between public authorities, businesses and technology centres.
Ultimately, the transition to a more sustainable economy will depend not only on discovering new resources, but also on our ability to recognise the value of those we already have. Spent batteries, disused solar panels, mining waste, industrial slag, sewage sludge, river sediments and electronic waste constitute veritable reserves of critical materials scattered across our territory.
Perhaps the most important mines of the future are not those that have yet to be mined, but those we have been creating for years without being fully aware of their value. Making the most of them could become one of the keys to strengthening the industrial, technological and food sovereignty of Spain and Europe in the coming decades.
In my previous blog post, we discussed nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as essential nutrients, their role in agriculture, and why recovering them from waste is not just a good idea but almost a necessity; today, we’re going to take it a step further.
Because, of course, none of what we’ve been discussing comes out of nowhere. It’s not just a matter of research, nor is it solely about sustainability—it’s also a matter of regulation. And this is where the new European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) comes into play.
But before we dive into the regulatory details, let’s do a quick “refresher”—but I promise there won’t be a test at the end 🙂
In the previous post, we saw how traditional fertilizers rely heavily on non-renewable resources, how Europe is highly dependent on imports, and how their intensive use can also lead to significant environmental problems such as eutrophication. Given this situation, we discussed nutrient recovery as a key solution within the Circular Economy: recovering N and P from agricultural and livestock waste and wastewater to produce sustainable fertilizers, such as struvite.
And not only that, but we also mentioned that at CARTIF we have been working in this area for years. A clear example is the European WalNUT project, a project under the Horizon 2020 program that we at CARTIF have coordinated and which just concluded last February after more than four years of work. During this time, technologies have been developed and validated for nutrient recovery from various sources: municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, and even brine from desalination plant effluent.
WALNUT team at the final evento on Brussels
As a grand finale, an event was held in Brussels where the consortium members presented the main results achieved during the project. But it wasn’t just a technical presentation; it also provided an interesting forum for discussion, where industry experts analyzed the importance and implications of the new wastewater directive. And this is where all the pieces begin to fall into place.
Because what used to be innovation is now becoming a necessity.
The New European Wastewater Directive: Background and Objectives
The new Directive (EU) 2024/3019 on urban wastewater treatment is precisely about that: changing the game. The previous regulation, from 1991, focused heavily on something basic but fundamental: collecting and treating wastewater to prevent direct impacts on rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. And hey, it worked pretty well. But 30 years later, the context has changed radically.
But today, the socioeconomic context is very different from that of the early 1990s, and it is no longer enough simply to “treat” wastewater. Now we must do it better, on a larger scale… and with a different mindset. One of the most significant changes is that the new directive broadens its scope. More small towns will have to properly treat their wastewater, which means bringing solutions to rural or scattered areas as well—where this has traditionally been more challenging.
But what’s really interesting is what we might call a “shift in philosophy.” Among other things, the directive introduces the treatment of micropollutants, such as emerging pollutants, which include pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Yes, those very compounds we use every day and which, until now, went largely unnoticed at wastewater treatment plants. To remove them, it will be necessary to incorporate advanced treatment methods, which represents a significant technological leap.
“The directive introduces, among other things, the treatment of micropollutants, such as emerging pollutants, which include pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.”
In addition, the “polluter pays” principle is being strongly emphasized, shifting part of the cost of these treatments to the industries responsible for those pollutants. This change, beyond its economic implications, sends a clear message: water management is everyone’s responsibility.
And now we come to one of the aspects that ties most closely to what we discussed in the previous post. The new UWWTD no longer views wastewater treatment plants merely as treatment facilities, but as true resource recovery plants—or what are commonly known today as urban biofactories or biorefineries.
These are true technological hubs for transformation, focused on wastewater treatment, but also on the generation of energy, reusable water, and, yes, nutrients as well. In fact, the directive explicitly promotes the recovery of phosphorus and other resources, fully aligning with the principles of the circular economy. In other words, what was once considered waste that needed to be managed is now understood as a raw material that must be utilized.
Opportunities for Innovation: From the WalNUT Project to the Future of the Industry
Does that ring a bell? Exactly.
Everything we’ve discussed regarding nutrient recovery, struvite, or technologies like those developed by WalNUT fits perfectly into this new framework. And that’s not all. The directive also sets energy neutrality targets for wastewater treatment plants, promoting the production of renewable energy. In other words, it’s not just about recovering nutrients, but also about closing the energy cycle.
In short, we are moving from wastewater treatment plants to urban biorefineries or biofactories.
So, without making much of a fuss, but with a pretty powerful paradigm shift.
The challenge? Enormous. Adapting infrastructure, adopting new technologies, financing investments, training staff, and so on.
The opportunity? That’s huge, too.
Because this entire regulatory framework only serves to reinforce an idea that we had already been observing in research (and also in projects like WalNUT): the future of water management lies in waste recovery, resource recovery, and integration into circular economy models. And along that path, what seemed innovative just a few years ago… is now becoming essential.
Risks of denaturalization and loss of the human perspective in environmental decision-making
“AI can help us see further, but it must not replace the human gaze nor the direct relationship with living systems”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become established over the past decade as one of the most disruptive technologies across virtually all fields of human knowledge. Its ability to process large volumes of data, integrate heterogeneous information, identify complex patterns, and generate predictions has sparked enormous interest in sectors traditionally intensive in information, such as natural resource management, spatial planning, agriculture, hydrology, and ecosystem conservation. In a context marked by climate change, accelerated environmental degradation, and increasing anthropogenic pressure on natural systems, AI is often presented as an almost inevitable tool to improve efficiency, optimise resource use, and support decision-making.
This growing prominence of AI is reinforced by the development of remote sensing technologies, environmental monitoring networks, geographic information systems, and big data platforms, which generate unprecedented volumes of information on the state and dynamics of ecosystems. In this scenario, machine learning algorithms appear to offer an effective response to the increasing complexity of environmental management, enabling the anticipation of scenarios, the detection of anomalies, and the assessment of impacts with a speed and scale previously unimaginable.
However, this technological enthusiasm also entails profound risks that are rarely addressed with the necessary critical attention. Natural resource management is not merely a technical or computational problem; it is, above all, an ecological, social, cultural, and ethical process that requires a deep understanding of ecosystems, their non-linear dynamics, and the historical relationship between human communities and their environment. Reducing this complexity to a set of variables optimised through algorithms may lead to a simplified and impoverished vision of sustainability.
In this sense, a poorly critical adoption of AI may lead to a progressive de-naturalisation of environmental management, displacing direct experience, local knowledge, and ecological intuition with algorithmic models that, while seemingly precise, may be conceptually reductive. The risk does not lie in the technology itself, but in the tendency to grant it a central and decisive role in contexts where uncertainty, complexity, and human values are fundamental elements.
The complexity of natural systems: what AI cannot simplify
Ecosystems are complex adaptive systems, characterised by multiple interactions between biotic and abiotic components, non-linear feedbacks, critical thresholds, and emergent processes that are difficult to predict. Unlike purely technical systems, natural systems do not respond proportionally to disturbances, nor can they be fully described through deterministic models or simple causal relationships.
This complexity implies that small alterations may generate disproportionate effects, and that systems may experience abrupt ecological regime shifts when certain thresholds are exceeded. Resilience, adaptive capacity, and self-organisation are key properties of ecosystems that depend on dynamic interactions that are difficult to capture using static models or approaches based exclusively on historical data.
Image generated with AI
AI, by definition, is based on the identification of patterns from large volumes of observed data. While this approach allows useful predictions in well-characterised contexts, it presents a structural limitation when facing poorly observed ecological processes, extreme events, or rapidly changing scenarios such as those induced by climate change. There is a risk that AI models may confuse correlation with causation or extrapolate past trends into contexts where environmental conditions are changing radically.
Moreover, many key ecological processes—such as soil–microbiota–plant interactions, ecosystem resilience mechanisms, or species’ adaptive responses—are not fully represented in the available datasets. Excessive reliance on AI may generate a false sense of control and understanding, while in reality excessively simplifying the inherent complexity of natural systems.
Loss of direct experience and ecological knowledge
One of the most concerning effects of the intensive use of AI in environmental management is the progressive detachment between managers and the territory. Traditionally, natural resource management has been based on direct observation, fieldwork, continuous interaction with the environment, and cumulative learning over time. This experience generates tacit, deeply contextual knowledge that is difficult—if not impossible—to encode into algorithms.
When decisions are made primarily through dashboards, predictive models, and automated recommendations, there is a risk that professionals lose contact with the biophysical reality of the systems they manage. Nature ceases to be perceived as a living, dynamic, and heterogeneous system and becomes a digital abstraction composed of data layers, synthetic indices, and thematic maps.
This process not only impoverishes ecological understanding but may also affect the training of new generations of technicians, scientists, and managers, who could develop excessive dependence on automated tools without acquiring critical thinking or deep ecological sensitivity. In the long term, this loss of direct experience may weaken adaptive capacity and responsiveness to unforeseen situations or environmental crises.
AI is fundamentally nourished by structured, quantifiable, and standardised data. However, an essential part of the knowledge associated with natural resources resides in local and traditional knowledge systems, built over generations through direct interaction with the environment. This knowledge includes adaptive agricultural practices, traditional water management strategies, landscape interpretation, and the understanding of subtle ecological signals that cannot always be translated into formal data.
The risk is that AI, by being unable to easily incorporate this non-formalised knowledge, contributes to its invisibilisation and, ultimately, to its progressive loss. Decisions based exclusively on algorithmic models may conflict with locally sustainable practices, generating social rejection, loss of legitimacy, or even negative environmental impacts resulting from the disruption of consolidated socio-ecological balances.
From an ethical and social perspective, relegating local knowledge in favour of technocratic solutions may deepen inequalities, weaken participatory governance of natural resources, and erode shared responsibility for their management.
AI tends to optimise specific variables: productivity, water-use efficiency, yield, cost reduction, or the maximisation of certain environmental indicators. However, sustainable natural resource management necessarily involves the consideration of multiple objectives and trade-offs, some of which are difficult to quantify, such as the cultural value of landscapes, functional biodiversity, social equity, or human well-being.
There is a danger that AI systems promote a reductionist vision of sustainability, focused on easily measurable indicators while ignoring essential qualitative dimensions. This approach may lead to decisions that appear optimal from an algorithmic perspective but are ecologically poor, socially unacceptable, or even counterproductive in the long term.
Another critical aspect is the perception of AI as a neutral and objective tool. In reality, algorithms reflect the decisions, values, and assumptions of those who design them, as well as the biases present in training data. In the environmental field, this may translate into models that implicitly prioritise certain land uses, analytical scales, or specific interests.
Delegating complex decisions to AI systems without a clear ethical framework and effective human oversight may erode responsibility and dilute accountability. In natural resource management, where decisions have long-term and often irreversible impacts, this loss of responsibility is particularly concerning.
Natural resource management is not only a matter of technical optimisation, but also of values, priorities, and visions of the future. Deciding how to manage an aquifer, a forest, or an agricultural system involves ecological, social, cultural, and ethical considerations that cannot be fully automated.
The human perspective provides essential elements: the ability to interpret complex contexts, integrate interdisciplinary knowledge, anticipate social conflicts, and make decisions under conditions of deep uncertainty. Empathy, prudence, and intergenerational responsibility are intrinsically human dimensions that cannot be replaced by algorithms, regardless of how advanced they may be.
Recognising the risks associated with AI does not imply rejecting its use. On the contrary, AI can be an extremely valuable tool to support natural resource management if used critically, complementarily, and contextually. The real challenge lies in preventing technology from displacing the ecological and human essence of environmental management.
In this sense, a balanced approach will involve:
• Using AI as a support tool, not as a substitute for human judgement.
• Integrating quantitative data with local knowledge and field-based experience.
• Maintaining participatory and transparent decision-making processes.
• Training professionals in critical thinking, not only in technical competencies.
• Explicitly recognising the limitations, assumptions, and biases of algorithmic models.
Artificial Intelligence offers undeniable opportunities to improve natural resource management, but it also poses significant risks if adopted uncritically. Nature is not a purely optimisable system, nor can sustainability be reduced to a computational problem.a. La naturaleza no es un sistema puramente optimizable, ni la sostenibilidad puede reducirse a un problema de cálculo.
Image generated with AI
Losing naturalness in environmental management means losing the ability to listen to the territory, understand its signals, and act prudently in the face of uncertainty. AI can help us see further, but it must not replace the human gaze nor the direct relationship with living systems.
In the context of a global environmental crisis, preserving this human and ecological perspective is not a luxury, but an essential condition for truly sustainable natural resource management.
Forests are one of the most valuable pillars of our natural environment. Not only do they provide renewable raw materials such as wood and resin, but they also perform essential functions for life: they regulate the climate, act as carbon sinks, conserve biodiversity, protect the soil from erosion, and provide spaces for well-being and rural development.
However, these ecosystems face major challenges. Climate change, biodiversity loss, forest fires, and rural depopulation threaten their balance. Added to this are structural difficulties within the forestry sector itself, such as international competition, a shortage of skilled labor, and the need to improve operational efficiency. In this context, active forest management is more important than ever. A well-managed forest is a resilient forest, capable of withstanding pests, diseases, and, above all, fires. The devastating fires of recent years have highlighted the urgent need to modernize the sector, moving towards a digital and ecological transition that will transform traditional forestry into an innovative and sustainable bioeconomy.
In regions such as Castile and León, where forest areas represent a significant portion of the territory, sustainable management of natural resources has become a strategic priority. This requires not only technical knowledge, but also advanced digital tools that facilitate decision-making and process optimization. Forests are not just natural landscapes: they are complex ecosystems that provide incalculable benefits, from maintaining biodiversity to providing economic sustenance for rural areas. Furthermore, their role as natural carbon sinks makes them indispensable allies in the fight against climate change.
Modern forest management involves much more than conservation: it means planning, monitoring, and adapting land use, drawing on knowledge, technology, and collaboration between administrations, companies, research centers, and society. The ecological and digital transition in this area is an opportunity to improve efficiency, prevent environmental disasters, and consolidate a forest bioeconomy that generates employment and development in rural areas.
Innovation and digitization at the service of forests
The drive towards digitization and the use of advanced technologies—such as GIS systems, BIM models, and data spaces—are transforming the way we understand and manage forest ecosystems. These tools provide accurate, real-time information on the state of forests, optimize harvesting, and strengthen prevention against fires and other environmental risks.
One of the most notable innovations is the development of continuous forest inventory systems, which provide real-time information on the existence, growth, and carbon stock of forest areas. Thanks to remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and satellite image processing, it is possible to monitor millions of hectares, detect changes in land use, and plan actions more efficiently.
Digitization is also changing the way forest fires are tackled. Automatic detection systems using artificial intelligence, combined with meteorological and satellite data, enable dynamic risk maps to be generated and improve the coordination of firefighting teams. All of this reduces response times and increases the effectiveness of emergency management. The forest bioeconomy, understood as the comprehensive and sustainable use of forest resources, finds a decisive ally in technology. From mobile applications for real-time management to digital certification or traceability platforms, digitization is redefining the sector’s value chain. Artificial intelligence-based solutions enable the automation of processes, improved occupational safety, and optimized forest logistics, thus promoting a more competitive and sustainable model.
The European framework: investing in resilience and digitalization
The European Union has made a firm commitment to transforming the primary sector through the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, financed by Next Generation EU funds. This is the framework for Order MAV/626/2025, issued by the Regional Government of Castile and León, which regulates subsidies for the implementation of the RetechFOR project, Technological and Territorial Network for forest monitoring and environmental disaster reduction as levers for the development of the forest bioeconomy, one of the initiatives of the RETECH program, Territorial Networks of Technological Specialization, a tool launched by the Secretariat of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. The project is worth €28.45 million, 75% of which is co-financed by the European Union and 25% by the autonomous communities of Castile and León and the Canary Islands.
This initiative seeks to modernize the management of forest resources through the intensive use of enabling technologies and the creation of an interoperable data infrastructure connecting administrations, companies, and research centers.
The RetechFOR project focuses on developing advanced solutions in three key areas. First, monitoring and prevention through the use of satellite data, sensors, and artificial intelligence algorithms for early warning and dynamic generation of fire risk maps. Secondly, data management through the creation of an interoperable forest data space, a crucial infrastructure for the flow of information between the administration, managers, and industry. Finally, precision forestry through the implementation of a continuous forest inventory that, through the use of digital twins, allows for the optimization of forest use and planning, ensuring an efficient and sustainable forest bioeconomy.
RetechFOR partners
CARTIF: innovation for digital forest management
As part of this initiative and with the aim of ensuring the best technological implementation, CARTIF is actively collaborating in the execution of the AG-RetechFOR project. This technology center is leading the development of forest data spaces that guarantee the interoperability, sovereignty, and traceability of information, which are fundamental elements for the success of the sector’s digital transformation.
CARTIF’s participation in the RetechFOR project focuses on three key areas that are essential for the modernization of the forestry sector. First, the design and implementation of interoperable connectors that facilitate the secure integration of heterogeneous data from multiple sources, allowing dispersed information to be consolidated and analyzed efficiently while maintaining the sovereignty and governance of the information sources.
Secondly, the development of digital platforms for natural heritage management, incorporating multi-layer geographic information system technologies that enable the visualization and integrated analysis of geospatial information. These tools are essential for understanding territorial complexity and making informed decisions about natural resource management.
Finally, the application of information modeling methodologies for construction in the digital management of critical forest infrastructure represents a significant innovation. This approach allows for the creation of accurate digital representations of forest facilities, facilitating their maintenance, optimization, and long-term planning.
CARTIF’s technical capacity, combined with its compliance with European standards on data spaces, positions the technology center as a strategic player in the sustainable digital transformation of the region. Its contribution is key to building a more resilient, efficient, and competitive forest ecosystem in Castile and León, demonstrating that technological innovation and environmental sustainability can and must go hand in hand.
If one were to see (and smell) the gases produced by combustion and anaerobic digestion, one would not find many similarities apart from the state of the matter in which they are found. In fact, both have a common component that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless: carbon dioxide, composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms (CO2). It is a natural component of the atmosphere, with an average concentration of around 420 mg/L, and plays an essential role in biological processes such as photosynthesis and respiration.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxigen (O2) molecule
From a physical-chemical point of view, CO₂ has versatile properties. At ambient temperature and pressure, it is in a gaseous state, but it can be liquefied at pressures above 15 bar at -20 °C. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has a peculiar characteristic: at normal atmospheric pressures, it can change directly from a gaseous state to a solid state without passing through a liquid state. This process is known as reverse sublimation. Thanks to this property, CO₂ is used in the form of “dry ice,” which has a temperature of -78.5 °C, and is widely used in the refrigeration and transport of temperature-sensitive products.
These phase transitions of CO₂ are exploited in various industries, such as food and pharmaceuticals, due to their efficiency and safety in product preservation.
In industrial terms, CO₂ is widely used in processes such as beverage carbonation, atmosphere inerting, welding, fire extinguishing, and as a fluid in emerging technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). It is also a key gas in the production of biofuels and power generation, where it is used in a supercritical state (above 31°C and 74 bar) thanks to its unique solubility and density properties.
Diferencia entre sólido, líquido y fluido.
However, CO2 is also a greenhouse gas with a high climate impact, which is why its proper management is essential. Innovations in its capture, reuse, and recovery are opening up new opportunities to reduce emissions, convert it into useful products, and move towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
That is why at CARTIF we believe that capturing CO2 at source is of the utmost importance. In this case, we have focused both on CO2 from biogas formation and CO2 from biomass combustion.
In biogas formation, CO2 is produced through anaerobic processes, where microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen. In this anaerobic digestion, bacteria transform polysaccharides and fats into a mixture of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide. Typical biogas contains between 30-45% CO2, which is not only an inevitable by-product, but also influences the calorific value of biogas because it is an energetically inert gas, i.e., it does not participate in combustion and therefore does not contribute energy. The higher the proportion of CO₂ in the mixture, the lower the concentration of CH₄, which is the combustible component responsible for the energy content. A typical biogas with 60-70% methane has a calorific value of 20-25 MJ/m³, whereas if the CO₂ content increases and methane decreases, this value can be significantly reduced, affecting efficiency in boilers, engines, and turbines.
“A typical biogas with 60-70% methane has a calorific value of 20-25 MJ/m3”
In biomass combustion, CO2 is generated from the oxidation of carbon contained in organic materials such as agricultural and forestry waste or pellets. During the reaction, the carbon (C) present in the biomass combines with oxygen (O2) in the air, releasing energy in the form of heat and producing carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). This process is rapid and occurs at high temperatures, forming the basis of technologies such as boilers and cogeneration plants. In biomass combustion, the typical concentration of CO2 in the combustion gases is usually between 3% and 15% by volume, depending on the type of biomass, the amount of oxygen available, and the efficiency of the process. This value is relatively low because, in addition to CO2, the gases contain a large amount of nitrogen (N2) from the combustion air, as well as water vapor, residual oxygen, and small traces of carbon monoxide (CO) and other compounds.
Welcome to the solution, we have membranes and contactors
The solution proposed by CARTIF consists of using a membrane contactor system, which can separate CO2 from a stream of multiple gases, obtaining a high-purity CO2 output.
A membrane contactor is an advanced technology used to separate and purify gases, in this case, for the capture and concentration of CO2 from gas streams. Its operation is based on the principle of mass transfer through a hydrophobic membrane, which acts as a physical barrier between the gas stream and an absorbent liquid that reacts selectively with CO2.
The system consists of a module with thousands of hollow fibers made of polymeric material. The gas containing CO₂ mixed with other components circulates on one side of the membrane (usually the inside of the fibers), while the absorbent liquid flows in countercurrent on the opposite side. Thanks to the hydrophobic nature of the membrane, it prevents the passage of liquid but allows CO₂ to diffuse through its pores, driven by a partial pressure gradient. Once the CO₂ passes through the membrane, it is captured by the liquid absorbent, which in our case can vary between distilled water or a NaOH solution. This process offers high selectivity, as other gases such as methane do not pass through the pores of the membrane and remain in the gas stream, thus obtaining a purified gas with a lower concentration of CO2.
Esquema de contactores de membrana. Fuente: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-representation-of-the-HFMC-for-CO2-absorption_fig1_379710499
Subsequently, the CO2-saturated liquid is sent to a regeneration stage, where, through a drop in pressure, the pure CO2 is released, while the absorbent liquid is recycled to return to the first contactor. The recovered CO2 can be stored, compressed, or reused in industrial processes such as carbonation, inerting, or synthetic fuel production.
And the CO2 obtained?
The membrane contactor system for extracting CO2 from gas streams has been tested at the Center with good separation yields, so it has now been decided to add a CO2 compression system to our pilot plant to store it in bottles in gaseous form, so that it can be used in different industrial applications (carbonation of beverages, microalgae growth, synthesis of other molecules, etc.).
A CO2 compressor works by increasing the pressure of the gas through the progressive reduction of its volume via one or more compression stages. At each stage, a piston reduces the space occupied by the CO2, raising its pressure and temperature. To prevent overheating, the gas is usually cooled between stages using heat exchangers. This process allows the CO2 to be brought from conditions close to atmospheric pressure to storage pressures in order to prevent it from liquefying.
Therefore, the system is designed to maintain temperature and pressure within safe ranges, ensuring that the CO2 remains in the gaseous phase throughout the process. This allows for more stable, safe, and economical operation, especially in pilot projects or CO2 reuse projects, where simplicity and reliability are key.
Conclusions: from climate waste to strategic waste
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the main greenhouse gases, whose atmospheric concentration has increased significantly due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and certain industrial processes. Reducing these emissions is key to mitigating climate change and moving towards a more sustainable production model. However, CO₂ should not be seen solely as a waste product, but as a valuable resource that can be captured, purified, and reused in different sectors within a circular economy.
In this context, membrane contactor technology is an innovative and efficient solution for CO₂ purification. These systems allow carbon dioxide to be separated from gas mixtures such as biogas or combustion gases through a physical-chemical process based on hydrophobic membranes and a selective absorbent liquid. Their modular design offers a large contact surface in a small space, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption compared to traditional methods. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to obtain high-purity CO₂ while other gases, such as methane, remain free of contaminants and ready for use.
Once purified, CO2 must be stored safely. To do this, compression and storage systems in gas cylinders are used, designed to keep the CO2 in a gaseous state, preventing it from liquefying. This involves compressing it to controlled pressures, generally between 15 and 20 bar, using multi-stage compressors that ensure the stability and safety of the process. The compressed gas is stored in cylinder racks that allow for its transport and subsequent use. This step is essential not only to ensure the integrity of the equipment, but also to comply with industrial safety regulations.
Captured and stored CO2 can have multiple industrial applications, from beverage carbonation and food preservation to use in welding processes, fire extinguishing, or as a raw material in the production of synthetic fuels and chemical products. In this way, what was once considered waste becomes a value-added input. This approach is a clear example of the circular economy, where production cycles are closed, emissions are reduced, and resource efficiency is promoted.
In short, the integration of capture technologies such as membrane contactors, together with compression and storage systems, not only reduces the environmental impact of CO₂, but also transforms it into an economic and technological opportunity, driving the transition towards cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable industries.
Co-author
Jesús María Marroquín. Biogas/biomethane/biohydrogen researcher
