Digestate from Agricultural Biogas Plant – Properties and Management

Biogas plants are installations based on the anaerobic digestion process. As a result of the biodegradation of various substrates and waste from agriculture, biogas and digestate, which is the second product of the process, are produced. The most popular method of digestate management is its use as fertilizer, without prior processing. However, there are much more possibilities for the management of digestate and its fractions resulting from separation. The aim of the study was to discuss issues related to the properties and management of digestate from agricultural biogas plants. Due to its properties, digestate can be managed in many ways, in accordance with the circular bioeconomy and sustainable development rules. The paper discusses issues such as the production of digestate, separation into fractions, and the use of individual fractions, e.g. for fertilization and energy purposes. Analyzing the results from own research and other research available in the scientific literature, it was found that digestate is a valuable raw material with wide possibilities of its use.