SDG 15 – Protect, Restore and Promote Sustainable Use of Terrestrial Ecosystems
🌱 Fertiscoria: A Moroccan Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture
Cadi Ayyad University (UCA), through its Faculty of Sciences Semlalia in Marrakech, is actively contributing to the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems by supporting innovative projects such as Fertiscoria.
Fertiscoria is a Moroccan startup that transforms steel industry byproducts (slag) into eco-friendly fertilizers rich in essential minerals like silicon, calcium, and magnesium. These fertilizers improve soil fertility, reduce dependence on chemical inputs, and enhance crop resilience to water and salinity stress
Source: Le Matin – April 2025
Source: L’Économiste – March 2024
This solution results from five years of collaborative research between the startup and UCA researchers. It exemplifies a circular economy approach by valorizing industrial waste to support sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture
Source: Filaha.ma – March 2024.
🤝 Strategic Partnership for Slag Valorization
On April 16, 2025, UCA signed a partnership agreement with the company CONCAMINE to develop the agronomic potential of slag. The goal is to increase biomass and crop yields by assessing the physical and chemical properties of slag and its effects on soil and plant health.
UCA is providing access to its greenhouses and research laboratories to carry out the experimental phases of this initiative
Source: Le Matin – April 2025.
🌍 Global Recognition at COP29
Fertiscoria was presented at COP29 in Baku in November 2024, showcasing Morocco’s commitment to innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. This international recognition highlights the importance of research and innovation in combating land degradation and biodiversity loss
Source: Le Matin – November 2024.