Phosphate rock is a key component to sustaining life on Earth. However, it is also a finite resource. This presentation looks at the opportunity to recycle phosphorus from existing waste streams such as manure and biosolids.

1. Recycling Phosphorus
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 65 years.
Opportunities in

2. Phosphorus is essential to all life on Earth. Its
life-giving properties are key to a variety of
cellular and biological processes that allow
plants, animals, and even humans to grow
strong and healthy.

3. For this reason, phosphate rock is processed
into a variety of products, namely, animal
feeds and fertilizers.

4. For this reason, phosphate rock is processed
into a variety of products, namely, animal
feeds and fertilizers.
As such, a reliable source of phosphorus is
crucial to maintaining global food security
and overall life on earth.

5. Why Recycle
Phosphorus?

6. Mineralogical phosphate reserves are a
finite and irreplaceable resource.

7. Mineralogical phosphate reserves are a
finite and irreplaceable resource.
As economically accessible reserves
begin to dwindle, scientists the world over
are worried about the future of a world
without this crucial mineral.

8. Mineralogical phosphate reserves are a
finite and irreplaceable resource.
As economically accessible reserves
begin to dwindle, scientists the world over
are worried about the future of a world
without this crucial mineral.
Add to that, that demand for phosphate
is constantly increasing as the world tries
to feed a growing population.

9. Simultaneously, the inefficient use of
phosphorus is causing it to end up in
waterways, polluting water sources and
threatening the surrounding ecology.

10. However, many are beginning to recognize
that existing phosphorus waste streams,
especially those in the form of manure and
wastewater, may hold the key to ensuring a
sustainable source of phosphorus, while also
reducing environmental impact.

11. Recycling
Holds Promise

12. Studies around the world are examining
the opportunity to recycle phosphorus
from wastewater treatment plants
(biosolids) and manure sources.

13. Studies around the world are examining
the opportunity to recycle phosphorus
from wastewater treatment plants
(biosolids) and manure sources.
One study found that just 37% of the
phosphorus available in existing waste
streams could support the annual
requirements of the U.S. corn crop.1
Source: Metson, Geneviève S., Graham K. MacDonald, Daniel Haberman, Thomas Nesme, and
Elena M. Bennet. “Feeding the Corn Belt: Opportunities for Phosphorus Recycling in U.S.
Agriculture.” Science of the Total Environment 542, Part B (2016): 1117-1126. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2016.

14. Another study found that the phosphorus
available in organic waste sources may
even be more readily available for plant
uptake than that found in traditional
fertilizer products (depending on the
hygienization treatment and the
chemicals used in the capture of
phosphorus from waste sources).2
Source: Kahiluoto, Helena, Miia Kuisma, Elise Ketoja, Tapio Salo, and Janne Heikkinen.
“Phosphorus in Manure and Sewage Sludge More Recyclable than in Soluble Inorganic
Fertilizer.” Environmental Science & Technology 49.4 (2015): 2115-122. ResearchGate. Web. Mar.-
Apr. 2016.

15. Considering that phosphorus waste streams
are an unavoidable part of human life on
Earth, the recycling of phosphorus from
waste streams would be a completely
renewable resource.

16. And while further research is needed in the
recovery and reuse of phosphorus from
waste streams, one technology is likely to
lend a hand:

17. Granulation

18. Granulation transforms organic waste
materials into a dry, granular product.

19. Granulation transforms organic waste
materials into a dry, granular product.
Granulation is already a fairly established
technology within the agriculture industry
for the many benefits it has to offer…

20. Granulation mitigates many of the issues
associated with raw manure, such as:

21. Granulation mitigates many of the issues
associated with raw manure, such as:
• Difficult Handling & Application

22. Granulation mitigates many of the issues
associated with raw manure, such as:
• Difficult Handling & Application
• High Transportation Costs

23. Granulation mitigates many of the issues
associated with raw manure, such as:
• Difficult Handling & Application
• High Transportation Costs
• Challenges in Nutrient Management

24. Granulation offers ample opportunity for
product customization, allowing for the
creation of a premium product where
waste management costs were once
incurred.

25. Granulation offers ample opportunity for
product customization, allowing for the
creation of a premium product where
waste management costs were once
incurred.
It can also help to reduce the
opportunity for runoff, because no
additional moisture is being added
to the soil.

26. Furthermore, it is a key tool in the growing
field of precision agriculture, where the
ability to dispense precise formulations
accurately is critical.

27. The product produced in a FEECO
granulation process is nearly odor-free,
and goes beyond EPA qualifications for a
Class A Biosolid, mitigating many of the
worries associated with land-applying
raw manure.

28. Conclusion
As economically recoverable phosphate
reserves diminish, and we struggle with
phosphorus in our waterways, a solution is
needed.

29. Conclusion
As economically recoverable phosphate
reserves diminish, and we struggle with
phosphorus in our waterways, a solution is
needed.
The opportunity to recover and reuse
phosphorus from existing waste streams
could be the answer to a sustainable source
of phosphorus for generations to come.

30. FEECO is an expert in the granulation of
organic waste streams, and aims to be on
the forefront of this initiative.

31. has been working with phosphates for over 65
years, providing testing services, process
design and development, and custom
phosphate processing equipment.

32. Want to learn more?
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Phosphates Processing
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