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. United in the Nutrient Platform, they are working with the Government of the Netherlands, businesses, research and knowledge institutes, and NGOs to accelerate the transition towards sustainable nutrient management.

Platform’s mission

The Nutrient Platform (NP) continuously takes up the role of cross-sector catalyst for closing nutrient cycles in the Netherlands and beyond. The aim is to create a viable market for recycled nutrients, contributing to national and EU circularity targets for 2030 and 2050.

The Nutrient Platform aims to turn the surplus of nutrients (first and foremost phosphorus, but also kalium and nitrate) 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.

In addition, the Nutrient Platform plays a strategic enabling role within several public-private partnerships on climate-neutral and circular fertilisers. As consortium partner, the Platform contributes to programmes that connect policy, research and agricultural practice to accelerate the transition towards sustainable fertiliser systems by 2050.

The Platform also contributes to building stakeholder alignment—an essential condition for scaling circular fertilisers. Through its established network and experience in influencing policy and market development, NP supports the creation of shared understanding between producers, users and policymakers.

Platform management & governance

The Nutrient Platform has 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. As host of the Secretariat, NWP supports the Platform’s strategy, facilitates communication between its members, and coordinates its initiatives.

Let's connect

Interested in learning more about the Nutrient Platform and becoming a member? The Platform welcomes new partners who share the commitment to closing nutrient loops and promoting sustainable nutrient management. Contact us to explore how you can get involved.