Abstract
Although it is among the most abundant elements in Earth’s crust (11th [1]) and water (13th [2]), phosphorus (P) is commonly referred to as “life’s bottleneck”, as “life can multiply until all thephosphorus is gone, and then there is an inexorable halt which nothing can prevent . . . ” [3]. [...]
Highlights
It is among the most abundant elements in Earth’s crust (11th [1]) and water (13th [2]), phosphorus (P) is commonly referred to as “life’s bottleneck”, as “life can multiply until all the phosphorus is gone, and there is an inexorable halt which nothing can prevent . . . ” [3]
P is almost exclusively produced by the mining of phosphate rock (PR) deposits of either sedimentary (87%) or igneous (13%) origin [7]
Content: The manuscript aims to provide state-of-the-art knowledge as well as practical insights on issues along the phosphorus supply chain. It is based on a long-term science–practice collaboration and an accompanying mutual learning process, including geology, technology, economy, and policy perspectives
Summary
It is among the most abundant elements in Earth’s crust (11th [1]) and water (13th [2]), phosphorus (P) is commonly referred to as “life’s bottleneck”, as “life can multiply until all the phosphorus is gone, and there is an inexorable halt which nothing can prevent . . . ” [3]. Much has been written about its highly controversial application to the case of P in recent years, for example [16,17,18,19,20], mostly around lack of availability of URR (ultimate recoverable resources) data and the comparability of oil and PR markets This aspect is not within the scope of this special issue, and we point interested readers to the references mentioned above. “A circular economy is one that is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles This new economic model seeks to decouple global economic development from finite resource consumption. Rather than focusing solely on product and process innovation, we should consider structural and social innovations of varying degrees (i.e., radical to incremental innovations) [24]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
