Nutrient Platform

While the global demand for phosphorus and other nutrients is increasing, the reserves are decreasing. In addition, these reserves are concentrated in only a handful of countries. The potential impact on worldwide food security is enormous.

Frontrunners from the water, agriculture and waste sectors, and the chemical industry have joined forces to close nutrient cycles. The Platform is working with the Dutch Government, businesses, knowledge institutes and NGOs to accelerate the transition towards sustainable nutrient management by creating a market for recycled nutrients.

Platform’s mission

Above all, the Nutrient Platform aims to turn the surplus of phosphorus in the Netherlands into an opportunity. This surplus, mainly the result of our intensive livestock farming system, creates environmental problems. By recovering phosphorus from our ‘waste’ streams and turning it into valuable new products, not only is the environment improved but the phosphorus cycle is closed.

Furthermore, the recovered nutrients can be exported to help improve soil and enhance food security elsewhere.

In practice, the members of the Nutrient Platform are doing this by:

• developing innovative cross-sectoral business cases on nutrient recycling;
• improving Dutch and European legislation that helps turn ‘waste’ into resources;
• creating awareness about sustainable nutrient management; and,
• linking a joint knowledge agenda to business demand.

Platform management & governance

The Nutrient Platform includes a Steering Committee which represents its various member sectors and organisations. The Steering Committee gives input for the annual agenda and advice about activities.

The Secretariat is the face of the Platform, as well as the first point of contact for members and organisations wishing to contribute to closing nutrient cycles.

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. 

For more information, visit the Nutrient Platform’s website.