Hoogwaardige mestverwerking (HMV) Grant

About this grant

The Hoogwaardige mestverwerking (HMV) subsidy is a Dutch government grant that co-finances high-quality manure processing installations. It is intended for projects that build a new installation or convert an existing one into a high-quality manure processing installation. The page describes the aim as making investments possible that the applicant might otherwise not have made, and it supports processing that produces higher-value recycled products from livestock manure. Eligible applicants are businesses that build or convert such an installation, typically intermediary companies such as manure transporters or manure processors, or other commercial parties interested in high-quality manure processing. The applicant must be registered with RVO as an intermediary company (intermediair bedrijf). The installation must be operational within 3 years of the grant decision, process at least 24,000 tonnes of animal manure per year, be sited at a fixed location, and use one of the listed process chains (decanter, screw press (zeefbandpers), screw press with evaporation, or digestate from mono-digestion with stripping column and chemical air scrubber, each with specified add-on steps). Eligible costs include staff costs for market research, advisory activities and project coordination; third-party costs for planning, equipment, construction or extension of the installation, commissioning and testing, and promotion at opening. Excluded costs include proposal-writing hours, travel, land preparation, permit applications, demolition, access roads, parking, operating and maintenance costs, depreciation, manure supply and product removal, and VAT where recoverable. Investment obligations may not be entered into before a grant is awarded, though costs incurred after application are allowed at the applicant's risk. The page states a total budget of €9 million, split equally between new installations and conversions of existing installations. The subsidy covers 40% of eligible investment costs for SMEs and a maximum of 35% for large enterprises. The scheme was previously available in 2022/2023, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and the ministry has indicated it may continue or be extended, possibly including small-scale installations from 2027, though this was not yet confirmed.

Eligibility

Applicants must be businesses that build a new high-quality manure processing installation or convert an existing one, and must be registered with RVO as an intermediary company (intermediair bedrijf); unregistered applicants are directed to register first. Both SMEs (mkb) and large enterprises may apply, with subsidy rates of 40% and up to 35% respectively. The installation must be commissioned within 3 years of the grant decision, process at least 24,000 tonnes of animal manure per year, be at a fixed location, and use one of the specified process chains. The applicant must hold an environmental and building permit (omgevingsvergunning milieu en bouw) at the time of application, plus any other required permits, and must not be in difficulty as defined under EU rules, shown by a signed declaration. Companies undergoing an improvement trajectory or holding a tolerance permit must provide supporting evidence. Prior recipients may not receive a grant again for the same location in the following calendar year, although a later grant for a modification of an existing installation may be possible, for example about two calendar years after the first grant was finalised.

How it's scored

After the closing date, RVO scores complete applications on three criteria: cost efficiency (70%), supply security of manure (25%) and location (5%). Applications are ranked by score, and funding is allocated in order of rank until the budget is exhausted. RVO aims to issue decisions within 13 weeks. The page does not describe panel composition.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be registered with RVO as an intermediary company (intermediair bedrijf)
• ✓Installation must be operational within 3 years of the grant decision and process at least 24,000 tonnes of animal manure per year at a fixed location
• ✓Must use one of the listed high-quality manure process chains (decanter, screw press, screw press with evaporation, or digestate with stripping column and chemical air scrubber); investment obligations cannot be entered before the grant is awarded

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) offer?

Hoogwaardige mestverwerking (HMV) offers $156K – $2.2M.

Who can apply for Hoogwaardige mestverwerking (HMV)?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; sme, large-company. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Circular economy funding supports reuse, repair, remanufacturing, product redesign and secondary materials markets. Grants tend to back pilots with businesses and local authorities, while tenders buy collection, sorting and recovery services. Applicants are usually asked to show the material flows involved and who will buy the recovered output.