The "chain" agreement, Closing the nutrient cycle
By recovering phosphate from sewage, sludge, municipal organic waste and manure, which then can be processed into products such as fertilizers and soil improvers substitutes, a former waste product can be given a useful purpose. In addition it results in less waste, less manure and cleaner water.
Minister of State Atsma: "I am proud that the Netherlands the first country in the world, that will be closing the phosphate cycle. With this breakthrough we will score threefold.
- Our environment is cleaner because we prevent phosphate in the soil and river courses.
- Our society is better off because we are useful nutrients from food, manure, sewage sludge and to reuse.
- Advantage for businesses is that the excess phosphate can be exported.
Innovation
The agreement will stimulate the innovation and knowledge in the involved sectors, to think of solutions fitting to the signed agreement.
The signing took place during the "Innovation Estafette" in Rotterdam. The agreement was signed by the Nutrient Platform and the Government.
The Nutrient Platform is a multisectoral platform with the following members: LTO Netherlands, COSUN, the Association of Water Boards, VEWIN, Twence of Gansewinkel, VION Ingredients, HVC, Thermphos, Slibverwerking Ontario, ICL Fertilizers Europe, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Deltares, the Nutrient Management Institute , WASTE, Aqua for All, biorenewables Business Platform, Innovation Network.
The Nutrient Platform (NP) is a network of Dutch organizations that share a common concern for nutrients depletion and its global impact. It brings together private companies, NGOs and knowledge institutions with the aim to contribute to a transition towards global sustainable use of nutrients.
Further information can be found at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment spokesman, Paula Young, email paula.dejonge@minienm.nl
Or at the Nutrient Platform: Secretary of the Nutrient Platform, Mr Ger Pannekoek, at g.pannekoek@nwp.nl