Taste the future: KNAP Research project to showcase breakthroughs while serving French fries

The IWA Resource Recovery conference, organised by the International Water Association (IWA), is a global platform that brings together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients from wastewater and organic waste. Held biennially, the conference plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable practices and circular economy solutions in water management.

Join the KNAP project presentation by Kees Roest of KWR, presenting key interim findings on circular fertilisers.

• Date: 20 May 2025
• Time: 11:15-11:40
• Presentation title: “Circular fertilisers from sanitation, urban wastewater, and agri-food industry process water”
• Where: Middenzaal, IWA Resource Recovery conference

The presentation by Kees Roest will highlight the results of the first successful pilots. His insights promise to spark important discussions about how wastewater can become a key source of circular fertilisers in the future. 

A taste of circular agriculture: French fries grown with recycled nutrients

As a unique and flavorful way to showcase the practical results of the KNAP research project, visitors to the IWA Resource Recovery conference in Leeuwarden on 20 May will be treated to French fries made from potatoes grown with circular fertilizers. This special stunt brings the concept of nutrient recovery to life—on your plate. 

The potatoes were cultivated during a KNAP field trial using 14 innovative recycled nutrient products, including Puraloop, a phosphate-rich fertilizer derived from wastewater and already approved for market use. The trial demonstrated not only healthy crop development and strong yields, but also a tangible step toward closing the phosphate loop. 

By turning waste into value and applying it directly to our food systems, KNAP is proving that circular agriculture is no longer a future concept—it’s happening now. 

Join us, taste the circularity, and see how innovation can be both impactful and delicious.

Nutrient recovery

The KNAP research project (short for Kringloopnutriënten uit Afvalwater en Proceswater) is a national Dutch initiative dedicated to developing and scaling innovative technologies for nutrient recovery. KNAP focuses on closing the loop on key nutrients—primarily nitrogen and phosphorus—by reclaiming them from sanitation systems, municipal wastewater, and the effluents of the agri-food industry. These recovered nutrients are then processed into high-quality, safe fertilisers that can replace conventional, fossil-based ones. During the research project, the fertilisers are tested to gain data on yield and food security.

Dutch multi-stakeholder network focused on sustainable nutrient use

The Nutrient Platform plays an important supporting role in the KNAP project by serving as its secretariat. In this capacity, the platform helps coordinate project activities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and ensure effective communication between stakeholders. As a Dutch multi-stakeholder network focused on sustainable nutrient use, the Nutrient Platform brings valuable expertise and a strong network to support the project’s visibility, alignment, and impact.

The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) hosts the Platform’s Secretariat. In this role, NWP supports the agreed strategy, facilitates communication between the Platform’s members, and coordinates its initiatives.