Phosphate recovery

Phosphate recovery

The demand for phosphate is increasing, while global fossil reserves are finite. According to experts, these reserves will have been used within the foreseeable future; 100 years is the general estimate. Furthermore, the bulk of fossil phosphorus is found in only five countries: Morocco/Western Sahara, China, the US, South Africa and Jordan. What makes the problem even more serious is that until today there are no alternatives for phosphate as a key component of fertilizers.

The implications of these predictions are enormous for global food production, since plants need phosphate to live.

Phosphorus depletion will become a global problem, which eventually effects us all. It will complicate the competing claims for food, energy, water and land even more. Long term consequences are serious: shortage of phosphate could, in the end, result in large-scale famine and social-political turmoil.

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