Abstract
Volatility in global fertilizer markets underscores the urgency for
sustainable, locally produced nutrient sources. This presentation explores
enhanced nutrient recovery - particularly phosphorus and nitrogen - in
water utilities as a strategy to improve resource resilience and
environmental performance across Europe. Phosphorus recovery, a wellresearched area, includes methods such as chemical precipitation (e.g.,
struvite, vivianite), wet-chemical extraction, and thermal treatments from
various wastewater and sludge streams. Despite technological maturity,
challenges persist due to high operational costs, scalability issues, and
uncertain market dynamics for recovered products.
In parallel, nitrogen recovery offers an alternative to the energy-intensive
Haber-Bosch process, which contributes signiÞcantly to global CO₂
emissions. Technologies like air stripping, precipitation, and membranebased solutions (e.g., NPHarvest) offer promise, though low nitrogen
concentrations in wastewater and limited direct recovery methods hinder
widespread implementation.
EU policy developments - such as the Integrated Nutrient Management
Action Plan (INMAP), the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
(UWWTD), and the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) - provide
regulatory support and market frameworks for nutrient recovery.
Nonetheless, achieving economic feasibility requires improvements in
product quality standards, reduction of harmful contaminants, better
market information, and investment incentives to enable economies of
scale
sustainable, locally produced nutrient sources. This presentation explores
enhanced nutrient recovery - particularly phosphorus and nitrogen - in
water utilities as a strategy to improve resource resilience and
environmental performance across Europe. Phosphorus recovery, a wellresearched area, includes methods such as chemical precipitation (e.g.,
struvite, vivianite), wet-chemical extraction, and thermal treatments from
various wastewater and sludge streams. Despite technological maturity,
challenges persist due to high operational costs, scalability issues, and
uncertain market dynamics for recovered products.
In parallel, nitrogen recovery offers an alternative to the energy-intensive
Haber-Bosch process, which contributes signiÞcantly to global CO₂
emissions. Technologies like air stripping, precipitation, and membranebased solutions (e.g., NPHarvest) offer promise, though low nitrogen
concentrations in wastewater and limited direct recovery methods hinder
widespread implementation.
EU policy developments - such as the Integrated Nutrient Management
Action Plan (INMAP), the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
(UWWTD), and the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) - provide
regulatory support and market frameworks for nutrient recovery.
Nonetheless, achieving economic feasibility requires improvements in
product quality standards, reduction of harmful contaminants, better
market information, and investment incentives to enable economies of
scale
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Building Resilience to Global Challenges |
| Subtitle of host publication | Book of Abstracts of the International Conference on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for a low-carbon Economy in Europe & beyond |
| Editors | Chrysi Laspidou, Floor Brouwer, Giannis Adamos |
| Publisher | University of Thessaly |
| Pages | 73-74 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-618-5960-05-6 |
| Publication status | Published - 4 Jun 2025 |
| MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
| Event | International Conference on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for a low-carbon Economy in Europe & beyond - Brussels, Belgium Duration: 4 Jun 2025 → 4 Jun 2025 |
Conference
| Conference | International Conference on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for a low-carbon Economy in Europe & beyond |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Belgium |
| City | Brussels |
| Period | 4/06/25 → 4/06/25 |
