Phosphorus recycling in the Dutch communal wastewater chain

Phosphorus recycling in the Dutch communal wastewater chain: Barriers to growth

Verhulst, Renske (TU Delft Applied Sciences; TU Delft Technology, Policy and Management)

Kamp, L.M. (mentor)
Flipse, S.M. (mentor)
Duyndam, Alexander (mentor)

Delft University of Technology
Universiteit Leiden

Industrial Ecology

2017-06-29

The goal of this research is to identify barriers that hinder the development of phosphorus (P)
recycling by the communal water chain. Insights into these barriers can lead to a better
understanding of the situation and can lead to possible solutions to overcome the obstacles. The research shows that P recycling is a complex field with numerous actors involved and with multiple options to recover phosphate. To identify the barriers, a list of potential barriers was created based on the Innovation System theory, the theory of Functions of Innovation Systems and barriers from Circular Economy literature. Based on six perspectives, the institutional, technological, financial, infrastructural, knowledge and social perspective, the value chain was analysed to create an overview of the current situation of P recycling in the Dutch communal wastewater chain. The research focusses on struvite from wastewater and phosphorus from sludge ash. The lack of demand is regarded as the most important barrier. Barriers related to this issue are the lack of a sense of urgency by consumers, the price gap between raw and recycled phosphorus and the risk perception related to recycled materials.
Phosphorus recycling needs cooperation between actors in the whole value chain and needs a system perspective. Without such a view, investments in one part of the value chain can reduce the effectiveness of investments in other parts.

phosphorus
barriers
industrial ecology
wastewater
innovation system
Circular Economy

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:89f61b9d-74b2-4da0-8fe9-b47201d71c60

The Master's programme Industrial Ecology is jointly organised by Leiden University and Delft University of Technology.

Student theses

master thesis

© 2017 Renske Verhulst