One of the classic environmental management dilemmas is that we often understand and evaluate systems at large scales (watersheds, sub-basins), yet management of the landscape most often occurs at the field or even sub-field scale. In the Field-to-Watershed Phosphorus (F2W-P) Modeling Workshop, we brought together practitioners to discuss how to dovetail existing in-field phosphorus measurements and modeled phosphorus pools. Scientists and members of the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance were invited to this day-long (noon to noon) workshop.

CRU’s Phosphates 2019 takes place on 25-27 March at the Omni Orlando Resort, Florida. The conference offers the ideal forum for senior decision-makers from commercial and operational elements of the phosphates value chain to understand which market and technology factors will influence the industry. Business leaders from producers, traders, consumers and engineering, technology and equipment providers meet at this annual event to engage in high-level networking, negotiate business and share industry knowledge.

Phosphates 2019 will provide delegates with key insights and in-depth market information about phosphates raw materials, intermediates and finished products. The two-day programme will cover key commercial subjects including: current and forecast supply dynamics; phosphate fertilizer cost outlook; updates on new projects and their anticipated impact on oversupplied markets; and demand drivers from the fertilizer, feed and industrial markets.

The 2019 event will also continue to grow the technical content, with a dedicated stream of technical presentations in addition to the popular technical showcases. Registered attendees will have the chance to share practical experience with other operators and meet with the industry’s leading suppliers of technology and engineering solutions in the large scale exhibition.

Materials that were traditionally characterized as waste are often replete with commodities ready to be extracted and valorized. A number of companies have seized upon this opportunity and developed technologies that advance this beneficial reuse of phosphorus.

On May 24, the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance held a 90-minute webinar on this topic. Panelists Matt Kuzma of Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies, Jeff Dawson of Renewable Nutrients, Mike Dougherty of Lystek International, and Jordan Lind of CLEARAS Water Recovery joined us for a discussion of the challenges and opportunities in harvesting phosphorus resources from wastewater streams.

North America’s longest running and most successful residuals and biosolids management conference came to Phoenix, Arizona, May 15-18, 2018. The conference provided attendees an exclusive opportunity to network with researchers, thought leaders, and practitioners, while exploring unprecedented commercial and technical opportunities in biosolids.

This conference was held by the Water Environment Federation in cooperation with the Arizona Water Environment Association, The Water Research Foundation, and the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance.

Members of the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance received WEF-member pricing to the event.

The Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance convened our second Phosphorus Forum event on February 27, 2018, in warm and sunny Tempe, Arizona. A network of organizations from across the phosphorus value chain gathered to explore holistic solutions to vexing phosphorus sustainability issues. Keynote speakers included Drs. Sally Rockey, Executive Director of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, and Paul Fixen, retired Senior Vice President of the International Plant Nutrition Institute.

Recent weather events around the globe–from intense hurricanes in the US to massive flooding in Asia–conform to the predictions of climate change models. If extreme weather continues to be the new normal, how will an intensification of storms affect phosphorus flows through the environment and how can we prepare for the increased phosphorus loads? Panelists Dr. Phil Haygarth, Professor in the Lancaster Environment Centre of Lancaster University, and Dr. Laura Johnson, Director of the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, joined us for a discussion of how climate change is impacting and will continue to change phosphorus flows, and what cities and farms will need to do to protect against increased phosphorus pollution of our waterways.

On May 19, 2017, the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance held our first Forum addressing critical issues in phosphorus sustainability. Guests watched presentations and networked with industries, scientists, and policy makers interested in closing the loop on phosphorus use in the food system. Newtrient President Steve Rowe gave the keynote presentation.