8.4 Closing the phosphorus cycle

05 June 2014 - 16:30 - 18:00

Phosphorus is an irreplaceable building block of life. It is essential in agriculture and there is no substitute for its use in animal feed and fertiliser. The current situation, with waste and losses at every step of the phosphorus life cycle, raises concerns about future supplies and environmental impacts, notably on water and soil. With efficient production and use, as well as recycling and minimisation of waste, major strides could be made towards the sustainable use of phosphorus, thereby setting the EU on a path of resource efficiency. The session will focus on the environmental concerns related to the phosphorus cycle and the possible pathways, barriers and solutions towards closing the cycle and achieving a circular economy for phosphorus.

Speakers:

• Chris Thornton, European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform
• Sofie Bouteligier, Public Waste Agency of Flanders, OVAM
• Ruben Sakrabani, Environmental Science & Technology Department, School of Applied Science, Cranfield University

Moderator:

• Rene Wyndham, T-Media