Sustainable use of phosphorus raw materials on the example of Italian companies

Although intensive efforts have been focused on a more sustainable use of phosphorus (P) in the last two decades, the full-scale implementation of P recovery technologies is not widespread in the industrial sector. Their diffusion is limited by lack of high-resolution and integrated analyses about the potential, benefits and risks of industrial innovation in this field, and the quantification of business, economic, environmental and social impacts at firm level. To cover this gap, the University of Bologna developed an industry-oriented methodology to deliver quantitative information, necessary to companies to explore their potential pathways about P recovery. The methodology, developed through the knowledge gained in two EU projects, InPhos (EIT Raw Materials) and Prosumer (EIT Climate-KIC), consists of four main steps: (i) identification of business interests and constraints; (ii) assessment of P flows in the company boundaries; (iii) cost assessment; and (iv) sustainability assessment through relevant Key Performance Indicators. The methodology was applied to an Italian food company, highlighting that only less than 50% of the P contained in raw materials remains in the final products and that the implementation of a P removal technology allows the compliance of legislative limits. Nevertheless, the economic feasibility is not ensured, confirming literature results. Consequently, suitable and tailored policies and financial tools must be defined to support the diffusion of P recovery at industrial level. The quantitative information provided by the methodology are therefore useful for policy makers and financial bodies to respond to needs and specialization of companies in their territories.