The Circular Bioeconomy refers to the set of economic activities based on biology, which at the same time introduces Circular Economy criteria into its processes. Both concepts, bioeconomy and circular economy, have been gaining ground in the EU Institutions in response to concerns about the long-term viability of the current resource-intensive economic model. Proof of this is that in 2018, the EU updated its Circular Bioeconomy Strategy that had been first published in 2012.
Resources that are sometimes scarce, such as water, phosphorus or organic matter in the soil or others related to agricultural activity in its technological dimension, which, however, often depend on critical raw materials that make us dependent on third countries.
Biocircular aspects of DeepDrop®
How is the DeepDrop® underground and localized drip irrigation system different as a circular bioeconomy system?
- This irrigation system is based on the application of devices that are easy to assemble and disassemble for product maintenance, which allows for greater product durability.
- Allows the reuse of drippers already used in a drip irrigation system.
- In case one of the components is damaged, customers can exchange only the part that needs to be replaced.
- Made from recycled and recyclable material. The transparent dome is made from plastic from greenhouses in Almería. So we could talk about “local recycling”.
- Made of material resistant to chemicals, UV rays and high temperatures.
- DeepDrop® Lifespan: We have not conducted any studies but almost all components have an estimated lifespan of more than 5 years if we take into account that all components and materials have already been used in other applications, although the capsule may have a slightly shorter lifespan due to solar radiation.
- This is a mechanical-manual system that does not require the use of rare materials and allows you to check at a glance if the water is circulating correctly through the soil. This last aspect is very relevant given the external dependence that the use of electronified materials entails. With the DeepDrop® system, the “sensor” is equivalent to the capsule itself in which the dripper is protected: if we see the water circulating in it at the time of irrigation, then we know that the water is reaching the subsoil, otherwise we will know that there is a critical point there and we will also know that we must act at that specific point located and assess whether the soil is blocking the tube where the water arrives or if the dripper is clogged and needs to be changed or cleaned, for example. Although some may think that it takes a lot of time to implement the drippers on the farms, this time is then saved when it comes to being able to visualize and act quickly and in the right place without generating water losses at a time when we cannot afford to lose a single drop. And it is also a cheap system that pays for itself quickly.
- The DeepDrop® irrigation system rationalizes water and drastically reduces water stress in plants and trees. In this way, it contributes to saving water and to the plant health of our fields in a very simple way at a very delicate time for this basic resource that allows us to be or not to be in the primary sector, or, as the saying goes, Spanish Bioeconomy Strategy Horizon 2030 “to maintain the capacities and potential of productive systems in a new context of food production and demand.” In other words, to ensure our own food sovereignty.
«In the future we want to become circular.«
In 2018, the European Environment Agency presented the report “The circular economy and the bioeconomy. Partners in sustainability”. One of the key aspects it pointed out was that “The Bioeconomy Strategy pays little attention to aspects related to eco-design, waste management and recycling, as well as to the role of innovative business models in these aspects.”
Thus, one of the challenges, in addition to the eco-design aspects mentioned in the previous section, is to reduce the impact on the environment of possible waste generated in agricultural activity.
Although the DeepDrop® irrigation system has been designed to be durable, its components will need to be replaced after a certain period of time (we estimate that, depending on the parts, this will take between three and five years). We do not want these materials to become waste in the environment, so they should be able to be reintroduced into the factories we work with. Although it is difficult to make time predictions at the moment, DeepDrop® plans to study, in the future, the implementation of a “return system” with our clients to recycle DeepDrop® materials in order to be as respectful as possible with our environment. The environment, which sustains us, provides us with food and protects us, is therefore something we must take care of.
