Impact of recycling improvement on the life cycle of phosphorus

摘要: Abstract Access to natural resources is increasingly more difficult and costly, partly due their economic significance continuous increase of global consumption in the recent years. In case phosphorus (P), which a critical raw material, geological distribution its primary nonrenewable source (phosphate rock) concentrated particular regions leading high supply risk this material. Europe (EU-28), where phosphate rock reserves are scarce, import has been main supply. It means that relies highly on foreign exporters. From decision makers' perspective, recycling was taken into account as one possible solutions decrease dependence imports extraction reserves. The question, however, what extent does help reducing reliance typical resources? Hence, objective paper quantify dynamic flow show potential benefits Europe. This article presents system dynamics model for representation element P helps recycled could mitigate criticality. Analysis results supports previous studies indicating EU imports, estimating around 96% percentage imports. imply improving level certain extent, may reach 79%.