---
title: RootCamp launches pilot project between K+S & VCG.AI for AI-driven discovery of circular silicon sources
description: RootCamp launches AI-driven pilot with K+S & VCG.AI to discover sustainable, circular silicon sources for eco-friendly plant nutrition solutions.
---

[The Official RootCamp Blog ](https://www.root.camp/blog)

# [RootCamp launches pilot project between K+S & VCG.AI for AI-driven discovery of circular silicon sources](https://www.root.camp/blog/rootcamp-pilot-project-circular-silicon-sources)

 Written by [Mario Verbeek](https://www.root.camp/blog/author/mario-verbeek) | May 13, 2025 10:04:03 AM

Silicon, a micronutrient, positively influences plant nutrient availability and drought resistance. Current supply chains mostly rely on traditional, non-circular economy sources, causing downsides in terms of ecological sustainability. [K+S](https://www.kpluss.com/de-de/), a global leader in plant nutrition solutions, has joined forces with [VCG.AI](https://www.root.camp/blog/vcgai-platform-for-faster-circular-product-and-business-development) from [RootCamp batch #6](https://www.root.camp/blog/rootcamp-batch-6-startups-driving-sustainable-agriculture-and-bioeconomy-solutions), to use the AI-driven value chain generator* *platform from VCG to find new, sustainable sources of silicon for plant nutrition. These silicon sources could be used as a value-adding additive to standard K+S fertilisers.

## Corporate Challenge

K+S aims to differentiate its product, Korn-KALI, by incorporating silicon to boost its market potential. The company's long-term strategy focuses on substituting fossil, mineral fertiliser components with organic and circular alternatives. However, it remains a challenge to find circular and preferential organic silicon streams matching the requirements of K+S. 

## Solution: AI-driven discovery of circular silicon sources

VCG.AI is using its advanced value chain generator platform to help K+S identify and discover high-quality, plant-available silicon sources from residual material streams. By applying tailored AI models to analyze and prioritize vast datasets, the initiative seeks to uncover sources of plant-available silicon, particularly from residual and secondary material streams. The goal is to enable K+S to optimize sustainability and innovation using AI-powered analytics to accelerate research and development in silicon fertilizer solutions. 

The pilot project, initiated and managed by Rootcamp, runs from May 1, 2025 to Jul 31, 2025 with a budget of €10,000. Central to the project is the development of a tailored AI model for alternative silicon source discovery. Building on this foundation, VCG.AI delivers a discovery and prioritization report that evaluates key performance indicators such as price, volume, feedstock types, technology readiness levels (TRLs), and geographic distribution of the silicon sources.

To ensure K+S can actively engage with the platform and apply the results internally, the project also includes a limited trial run of K+S colleagues on the VCG.AI software. This will be supported by an onboarding workshop, enabling different departments of K+S to use and understand the added value of VCG.AI’s software. That builds a solid foundation for a potential long-term collaboration between these players, initiated & managed by RootCamp.

## RootCamp: Enabler of corporate-startup-collaboration

RootCamp specializes in finding the right solutions from the startup world for precise corporate challenges,[ connecting startups and scale-ups with established corporates](https://www.root.camp/program-overview) through a venture clienting approach. By acting as a strategic enabler, RootCamp facilitates real-world pilot projects that allow corporates to accelerate innovation while providing startups with direct access to complex industry challenges and market opportunities. [Find out more about our venture clienting services](https://www.root.camp/corporate-innovation-support) and [implemented pilot projects](https://www.root.camp/corporate-startup-pilot-projects). 

[View full post](https://www.root.camp/blog/rootcamp-pilot-project-circular-silicon-sources)

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