"Bio-based" fertilizers. New geopolitical concept

The European Union's Fertilizer Plan recommends the recovery of nutrients, biofertilizers, as a central measure in the necessary reduction of the world's dependence on mineral fertilizers.

Phosphorus has returned to the center of global strategic discussions. Essential for life, since food production and with no known biological substitute, phosphorus is today one of the pillars of modern agriculture. At the same time, its natural reserves, concentrated in a few countries, are running out, which increases concerns linked to prices, access, supply and geopolitical dependence.

This scenario led the European Commission to publish, at the beginning of May, the document "Fertilizer Action Plan", which proposes measures to guarantee availability, economic accessibility and strategic autonomy for the use of fertilizers by European Union countries.

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The European document recognizes that the global fertilizer market is experiencing strong instability, aggravated by recent geopolitical crises, rising energy prices, difficulties in accessing chemical components for production and high international dependence on basic mineral raw materials such as phosphate, potassium and natural gas.

Among the alternatives highlighted by the European Union, one theme appears prominently and recurrently throughout the document: bio-based fertilizers.

The change may seem just technical. But its potential impacts involve agriculture, sanitation, energy, waste management and mainly agri-environmental infrastructure costs.

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What are bio-based fertilizers
The term "bio-based" is still little known outside the technical sectors. In general, it refers to materials whose origin or transformation has undergone successive biological processes.

Traditionally, the phosphorus used in fertilizers is extracted directly from mineral deposits. After that, the nutrient enters successive biological metabolic cycles as in corn and soybeans and goes to animal production, pigs, poultry, cattle, and finally ends up in human food. In this succession, it always ends up partially dissolved in wastewater, or digestates, or sewage, whether urban, industrial or agricultural.

Until recently, this material was treated mainly as environmental waste. It needs to be treated, but there is still no economic focus. In addition to the environmental aspect, experts point out possible agronomic advantages of bio-based fertilizers, such as greater absorption efficiency by plants, slower solubility with gradual release of nutrients and reduced losses in soil and water.

Now, new technologies appear to recover this dissolved phosphorus, promoting its recrystallization in the form of mineral compounds, which can be reused as fertilizers.

In practice, in addition to Europe, the world is beginning to discuss not only the costs and availability of phosphorus originating from phosphate rocks, but also the phosphorus present in wastewater is on the agenda.

It is important to highlight that, contrary to the fact that recovered phosphorus is given a low value, it is due to the fact that it is a recycled material. Industry experts are beginning to consider that bio-based fertilizers could gain greater market value due to their agronomic and environmental characteristics.

New frontier for sanitation and infrastructure
The European plan explicitly cites the trend towards valorization of digestates, recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen, use of organic solid waste, production of biogas/biomethane and fertilizers, as Europe's (and the world's) autonomy strategy connecting energy and fertilizers. Identifying the anaerobic biodigestion of effluents as a central process of this trend.

The document also states that bio-based fertilizers can become one of the main strategic replacement markets for traditional mineral fertilizers.

The change opens up space for a new logic in sustainable infrastructure.

Effluent treatment plants, biodigesters and sanitation systems are gradually also being seen as platforms for recovering nutrients and economic assets.

The discussion about bio-based fertilizers indicates a gradual change in the way the world views strategic nutrients such as phosphorus.

In a scenario of pressure on fertilizers, food security and sustainability, the next strategic frontier for phosphorus may not only lie in underground mineral reserves, but also in the ability to recover it from wastewater, in sanitation systems and in agro-industrial chains.

* Cícero Bley Jr. is an agronomist and master in civil engineering, with a focus on territorial management

The articles published by CNN Infra seek to stimulate debate, reflection and shed light on views on the main challenges, problems and solutions faced by Brazil and other countries in the world. The texts published in this space do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Brasil.

Source: CNN