Presenter: Chris Thornton European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP) www.phosphorusplatform.eu Sustainable management of nutrients is crucial for agriculture, food, industry, water and the environment. ESPP brings together companies and stakeholders to address the Phosphorus Challenge and its opportunities for the circular economy. Countries: Austria AT Belgium BE Bulgaria BG Cyprus CY Czech Republic CZ Germany DE Denmark DK Estonia EE Spain ES Finland FI France FR Greece EL Hungary HU Ireland IE Italy IT Lithuania LT Luxembourg LU Latvia LV Malta MT Netherlands NL Poland PL Portugal PT Romania RO Sweden SE Slovenia SI Slovakia SK United Kingdom UK Switzerland CH Phosphorus: Fosfor Fosfor Fòsfòr Фосфор Fosfor Фосфор Fosfor Fosfor Фосфор Фосфор Fosforas Fosfors Fuosfuors Fosfor Ffуsfforws Fosfar Fosfaras Fosfaar Fosforus Φωσφορος Ֆոսֆոր Fosfor Fosfor Фосфор Фосфор ফসফরাস فسفر ફૉસ્ફરસનો फास्फोरस Fosfor Fosfori Foszfor Фосфор Фосфор Паликандур Fosfor Fosfor Фосфор Фосфор Фосфор Фосфор Fosfor فوسفور Fosfor Fosforoa ფოსფორი [fūsfūr] זרחן Fosfru Lìn リン 인 ฟอสฟอรัส Photpho 磷 Posporo Fosfor Pūtūtae-whetū Fosforus ഫോസ്ഫറസ് பொஸ்பரசு Fosofo Fosforase Posfori Fósforo Phusphuru Fosforimi Fosforo Fosforon Pesticium

1. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 1
Opportunities for recycled nutrients
Chris Thornton, European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform
info@phosphorusplatform.eu - www.phosphorusplatform.eu
ESPP’s members

2. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 2
2015: EU Circular Economy Package consultation
- 30% of respondents identified bio-nutrients
as “materials the EU should target first” (Q5, Q3)
- Overall, 54% cited bio-nutrients or phosphorus (all questions)
see www.phosphorusplatform.eu/scope118
Without mineral phosphorus fertilisers
we could feed c. 1/5th of the world population
Adapted from Dawson et al., Food Policy 2011: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03069192
Success story: SARIA UK – Kalfos
12 000 t/y P-fertiliser & soil conditioner
from cat. 1 & 2 animal by-products
combustion ash
http://www.kalfos.co.uk/

3. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 3
What are the drivers?
- Waste / pollution obligations
- food / green waste
- regional nutrient excesses: Nitrates Directive
- emissions constraints:
Water Framework Directive,
Emissions Ceilings Directive (ammonia)
- waste disposal costs
- food waste: Waste Framework Directive
- Nutrient recovery obligations (e.g. Germany, Switzerland)
… NOT price of recovered nutrients
Success story: COOPERL Brittany
400 000 t/y manure to organic
fertilisers / Emeraude stable system
supported by EU Investment Plan
http://www.cooperl.com/en/environmental-solutions
www.phosphorusplatform.eu/scope122

4. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 4
Economic realities
Mineral fertiliser prices are volatile …
… but low
- “commodity”
- mass logistics
First criterion for farmers
is price*
* INEMAD survey 555 famers, 8 EU countries
www.inemad.eu
and www.phosphorusplatform.eu/scope117

5. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 5
Wider ambitions?
Addressing regulatory barriers
and innovation/demonstration are essential
- e.g. Fertilisers Regulation, standards, H2020; LIFE+ …
Incentives can help
e.g. public procurement, tradeable nutrient permits / credits*
But need to also address economics
* Netherlands Government “Further proposals
for a new circular economy package” 30/4/2015
https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-536079.pdf
http://www.metronews.fr/info/prix-de-la-viande-elevage-
grande-distribution-intermediaires-qui-gagne-
quoi/mogu!Ptj6WbgEBIAuY/

6. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 6
Fiscal reform …
• Circular economy is job intensive
• Social security, training, pensions,
VAT and income tax: all penalise employment
• In the past, labour was stable tax base
… need for tax shift:
E.g. Ex’Tax proposal:
- transfer tax to resources, pollution
- zero VAT on recycling
- remove employers contributions on salaries
www.ex-tax.com
EU27 tax base (2012)
from Ex’TAX “New era. New plan. Fiscal reforms for an
inclusive, circular economy.“ 2014 www.ex-tax.com

7. Chris Thornton, ESPP at
EU Bioeconomy Polic Day
16th Nov. 2017 - 7
Opportunities for recycled nutrients
Chris Thornton, European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform
info@phosphorusplatform.eu - www.phosphorusplatform.eu
ESPP’s members