espp and the phosphorus challenge at nutriplanta conference lisbon 7 december 2014

European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform

ESPP and the Phosphorus Challenge

1. The world is changing rapidly….

2. Market challenges: different perspectives, drivers

3. Sustainable use of nutrients & the circular economy

4. ESPP: how it started, developed, what plans there are in 2015

5. Examples how to operate in multidisciplinary European network

NutriPlanta conference Lisbon 7th of December 2014

Arnoud Passenier – President of the ESPP


The world is changing rapidly

• World population 9.6 billion in 2050

• Western diets & biofuels accelerate

demand

• OECD industries not always “first

buyer” anymore

• Producers phosphorus rock : vertical

integration strategies

• Therefore big challenge to meet

demand for nutrients


Market challenges: different perspectives, drivers

• Economic perspective: price volatility,

less access, affordability and

disruptions of supply make it difficult

to adjust in time…

• Ecological perspective: waste of

resources, water quality = challenge

for farmers and agro-industry to keep

licence to operate

• Geopolitical perspective: social and

political (in)stability, interdependence


Sustainable use of nutrients &

the circular economy

• Main challenges: 1. effective (precision?) nutrient use with efficient use of

water, energy and no loss of N,P,K in the soil

2. Use of recycled nutrients (out of waste water, animal

manure and other organic waste) to close the cycle

• All efforts have to be focused on these objectives,

science plays a crucial role

• We need to work together in the value chain to build

trust between business, government and science,

because we don’t know the answers for tomorrow.


The role of ESPP in that future

• ESPP launched in March 2013 after 1st EU Conference on

Sustainable Phosphorus

• Nowadays about 25 European members: • 7 from science

• 3 national platforms

• 15 companies

• EU Commission is observer

integrating water, chemical and agricultural sectors

• EU Commission has drafted Consultative Communication

on Phosphorus, a lot of stakeholders replied.

• ESPP is seen as authoritative platform in field of Fertilizer

Regulation.


Significance of ESPP for P-stewardship

• Second ESPC 5-6 March 2015 in Berlin!

• Network to improve dialogues, disseminate knowledge,

opportunities for innovations

• Involvement in regulatory affairs & information about new P-policy

developments

• Vision on sustainable P use in Europe & the World

• Promotion of positive image P-use & -innovation

• Political agenda: get the attention needed!

• Themes: P-supply & demand, reuse/recycling, P-efficiency and –

effectiveness in crop and animal production.

Let’s make it happen together!


THANK YOU on behalf of the ESPP partners….

espp and the phosphorus challenge at nutriplanta conference lisbon 7 december 2014

Food