The Use of Waste to Produce Liquid Fertilizers in Terms of Sustainable Development and Energy Consumption in the Fertilizer Industry—A Case Study from Poland

Abstract

The topical challenge for the Polish, European, and global fertilizer industry is to produce sufficient nutrients for growing plants using more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods. The appropriate course of action, in terms of the challenges posed, could be the production of liquid fertilizers, made from waste materials that exhibit fertilizer properties. This solution makes it possible not only to reduce the exploitation of natural resources but above all, to implement elements of a circular economy and reduce the energy intensity of the fertilizer industry. This study shows that both in Poland and the European Union, there are current regulations aimed at elements of a circular economy and indicating the need to obtain fertilizers containing valuable plant nutrients from organic waste or recycled materials. The recognition carried out for the Polish market clearly indicates that to produce liquid organic fertilizers and soil conditioners, the most used is the digestate from the fermentation process. The preparation of liquid organic–mineral fertilizers is mainly based on algae extracts. Mine minerals are used in the production of mineral–liquid fertilizers. An analysis of data has shown that the above-mentioned waste materials, used as substrates to produce fertilizers, contain chemical substances and elements important for, among other things, stimulation of proper plant development, growth of aboveground and underground parts of plants, increased resistance to diseases and pests, and regulation of plant water management. Referring to the above information, the production of liquid fertilizers from waste materials seems reasonable and is an alternative to mineral–solid fertilizers, whose production process is energy-intensive and produces air emissions. Detailed identification of the properties of the various components made it possible to demonstrate their usefulness in terms of fertilizing plants and soils, but also to emphasize the importance of this line of research and the need to look for other groups of waste for reuse within the framework of a circular economy.

Utilization of Eggshell Waste to Become Liquid Organic Fertilizer (POC) and Pesticides as a Substitute for Regular Fertilizers through Thematic KKN Activities in Pasang Lela Village, North Labuhan Batu Regency

“…Aplikasi POC adalah cara pemenuhan kebutuhan nutrien di tanah. pupuk organik umumnya dianggap sebagai cara yang efektif untuk mempertahankan kesuburan tanah dan pertumbuhan tanaman (Pajura, et al, 2023). Penambahan pupuk sangat penting dalam produksi tanaman, terutama pertumbuhan akar.…”

NPK Biofertilizer Production from Banana Peel, Feather and Bone Ashes and their Comparative Advantage to 20:10:10 Inorganic Fertilizer

“…If the focus is to establish strong, green foliage in the initial stages of plant development, this ratio can be advantageous [12]. However, ammonia (NH3) from natural gas is the industrial route followed to manufacture this type of fertilizer, with imminent air pollution problems [13]. Utilizing biomass waste from agricultural activities, perhaps is an alternative source of an environmentally beneficial approach, as exemplified using poultry feathers by Paul et al [14].…”

Retention of Organic Micropollutants in Nutrient Recovery from Centrate by Electrodialysis─Influence of Feed pH and Current Density

“…2 Although no legislation is in place yet for nitrogen recovery, alternative sources for nitrogen fertilizers have been studied recently. 3 Main motivation for replacing conventional nitrogen fertilizer production by the Haber− Bosch process is the increasing economic strain due to rising costs for energy resources (i.e., natural gas).…”

“…In accordance with the European Policy for a circular economy, several European countries have implemented legislation calling for phosphorus recovery in wastewater treatment plants . Although no legislation is in place yet for nitrogen recovery, alternative sources for nitrogen fertilizers have been studied recently . Main motivation for replacing conventional nitrogen fertilizer production by the Haber–Bosch process is the increasing economic strain due to rising costs for energy resources (i.e., natural gas).…”