12 October 2016
Struvite included into the International Green Deal North Sea Resources Roundabout
After compost, PVC and non-ferrous metals from bottom ash, struvite will be the fourth secondary resource to be addressed within the International Green Deal North Sea Resources Roundabout (NSRR). Struvite is a specific mineral form of magnesium ammonium phosphate recovered from waste water. A working group of French and Dutch public and private sector experts had its first meeting in the Dutch embassy in Paris on 7 October 2016. The case, initiated by SUEZ, Veolia, Reststoffenunie and Waternet, will focus on the perceived barriers relating to the use of struvite in crystal form. It will specifically explore ways to facilitate the export of struvite recovered from municipal wastewater plants as a raw material for the purpose of producing fertiliser. The initiators hope that this case will be a first step towards creating a European market for struvite.
International Green Deal North Sea Resources Roundabout
The NSRR was initiated by The Netherlands, UK, France and Flanders with the aim to stimulate Green Growth in the North Sea region by facilitating the trade and transportation of secondary resources. The 5 year deal was signed in March of this year and is envisioned to eventually accommodate a maximum of ten secondary resource streams. For each secondary resource stream a working group is established to come up with practical and scalable solutions to the barriers encountered. Most solutions are likely to involve the harmonisation of national interpretation and enforcement of EU legislation and will not require new rules or regulations. Suggestions/applications for new cases are welcome.
Struvite
Recovery and removal of nutrients, especially phosphorus, from wastewater is of importance in preventing eutrophication. It is also important to limit further depletion of existing phosphate reserves, which will become increasingly costly and difficult to mine in the medium term future. Closing the phosphorus loop is therefore a major issue in the Circular Economy.
