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Added-value from innovative value chains by establishing nutrient cycles via struvite

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  • Maaß, Oliver
  • Grundmann, Philipp
  • von Bock und Polach, Carlotta

Abstract

The establishment of nutrient cycles has been widely proposed as a strategy for an efficient management of nutrients such as phosphorus (P). Global reserves of phosphate rocks are limited and are being increasingly depleted. At the same time, P is disposed of via various substance-streams in wastewater treatment. Establishing nutrient cycles may solve these problems and lead to innovative added-value chains with a higher added-value. The objective of this paper is to assess the added-value of P-recovery from sewage sludge via struvite precipitation and its application as fertilizer in Berlin-Brandenburg (Germany). The added-value from struvite precipitation was determined by performing a cost/benefit analysis based on data from standardized questionnaires and interviews with operators of wastewater treatment facilities. Surveys of 146 farmers were used to ascertain what crops were cultivated in the study area and to gauge the willingness of farmers to substitute struvite for conventional mineral P-fertilizer. Benefits from using struvite were found by calculating the fertilizer costs when struvite is substituted for conventional mineral fertilizer. The results indicate that the precipitation of struvite and its use as fertilizer generates added-value gains for wastewater treatment facilities (416,000 €) and for crop producers (35,000 €). In wastewater treatment, struvite precipitation reduces operating costs and yields additional revenues through struvite sales. In crop production, fertilization costs are reduced by substituting struvite for mineral P-, N- and Ca-fertilizers. The distribution of the added-value in the struvite value chain is determined by the marketing strategy of struvite. Farmers may obtain a higher share of added-value if struvite is marketed via direct sale.

Suggested Citation

  • Maaß, Oliver & Grundmann, Philipp & von Bock und Polach, Carlotta, 2014. "Added-value from innovative value chains by establishing nutrient cycles via struvite," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 126-136.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:87:y:2014:i:c:p:126-136
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.03.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kleemann, Rosanna & Chenoweth, Jonathan & Clift, Roland & Morse, Stephen & Pearce, Pete & Saroj, Devendra, 2015. "Evaluation of local and national effects of recovering phosphorus at wastewater treatment plants: Lessons learned from the UK," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PB), pages 347-359.
    2. Maaß, Oliver & Grundmann, Philipp, 2016. "Added-value from linking the value chains of wastewater treatment, crop production and bioenergy production: A case study on reusing wastewater and sludge in crop production in Braunschweig (Germany)," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 195-211.

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