Economic Aspects on the Production of Biofertilizers as Granular Composites

Abstract

Biofertilizers that associate biological P-solubilization and plant disease control are sustainable alternatives to mitigate the impact of conventional phosphate fertilizers and agrochemicals in agriculture. However, the economic aspect is critical given that these bio-based products innovate in well-consolidated markets. Thus, we proposed and evaluated, from a techno-economic analysis (TEA) perspective, three different processes for biofertilizer production. The cases differ in terms of downstream processing and the use of single (SM) or double microorganisms (DM), following the concept of a granule bioreactor. In SM cases, Trichoderma asperelloides fungi act as a biocontrol agent, while in the DM case, Aspergillus niger fungi are added to promote P-solubilization. The lowest minimum biofertilizer selling price (MBSP) was US$1.06/kg, attributed to the cases with fewer downstream steps. Moreover, the global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses indicated that the substrate cost and the final product composition significantly impact the MBSP, which fluctuates from US$0.87 to 1.29/kg. These values demonstrate the biofertilizers’ competitiveness since, in addition to promoting soil fertilization, they can help control plant pathogens in a sustainable way.