Raw materials (RMs) industry represents a significant share in the European domestic economy and requires special attention in aspect of the development and innovative solutions implementation. An importance of RMs is highlighted in many EU official documents (COM no. 490, 2017; COM no. 278, 2014; COM no.614, 2015). Moreover, the current European vision which indicates that "raw materials are a major Europe's strength" (eitrawmaterials.eu) could be a driving force for the economic and innovation development. In the European economy, the special attention is paid on so-called critical raw materials (CRMs) due to a high-risk associated with their supply.
One of the most important CRMs which is an essential element for human nutrition, yet limited resource, which can not be replaced by any other element is phosphorus (P). Therefore, the development of a sustainable phosphorus management model, taking into account the policy, legal requirements, market structure, research and development actions, existing P recovery infrastructure, investments (methods for recycling and conserving P used in society) is required. This is particularly important in the Baltic region where waterborne loads to sea, mainly as wastewater with high phosphorus content contribute to eutrophication. An introduction of P-rich waste to the Baltic sea creates transoundary threats, and in this situation the development of the sustainable P usage model must be trans-national. Therefore, the Baltic countries have joined forces in order to safeguard the Baltic P-sypply chain and develop of sustainable P management strategy. The framework for this work is transfer of knowledge from countries where the proper strategy of P management has been discussed since many years (Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland) to Baltic countries (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) where the Knowledge Triangle must integrate and take actions focused on development of above strategy, according to the circular economy (CE) model and regional conditions. In the InPhos project, P strategy for the Baltic region will be developed by a working group of experts from developed countries and the Baltic region, who will design of solutions for the sustainable use of P. Moreover, the InPhos project will contribute to the building of a “phosphorus responsible society’ by educating the public about the diversity of P sources and the potential of good P management in the Baltic region.
Keywords: phosphorus (P), Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), circular economy (CE), sustainable management
