Feeding Life 2030

European Fertilizer
Industry’s long-term vision.

The European fertilizers industry vision for the future is based on a mission to continue feeding plants, farmers, people and the economy while responding to other fundamental societal challenges linked to climate change and sustainability.

Feeding Life 2030 vision aims to find solutions that answer the question of how to continue feeding a growing population while doing so in a more energy and environmentally efficient way.                      The deployment of more knowledge per hectare, promotion of circular economy and the use of ammonia as a carbon free energy carrier are what our industry sees as key solutions.

The European fertilizer industry is at the crossroads between nutrition and energy. With an appropriate support from policy-makers the industry can play a vital role in providing solutions to European society’s most pressing challenges.

Explore how fertilizers will be key in:

Feeding the world
‘Applying more knowledge per hectare’ should be the mantra for the future of farming in Europe. Better fertilizer products, precisely targeted to specific crops, combined with new tools and real time data open up a new range of exciting possibilities. The greater application of knowledge is expected to improve quality and yields and provide farmers with a higher return on investment. It will also have a very positive effect on the environment, as better and more targeted fertilization will maximize plant growth and so diminish losses to the environment.

Supporting professional farmer of the future
Farmers in 2030 are expected to become even more knowledgeable and demanding of nutrient input. They will focus increasingly on nutrient use efficiency in order to produce sustainably and profitably by optimizing overall application and increasing yields. They will rely more profoundly on professional advice and new tools and technology. More specialised and diverse fertilizer products will be needed to meet their expectations.
Growing a sustainable economy


The Circular Economy
The fertilizer industry works to optimise resource use and recycles a wide range of by-products in its production process, turning them into valuable plant nutrients, and uses surplus energy and raw materials that derive from other production processes on fertilizer production sites or from production process taking place elsewhere. 10 million tonnes – Already today, fertilizer sector converts millions tonnes a year of ammonium sulphate and sulphur into basic fertilizers as well as provides CO2 for green houses or beverages such as sparkling water.

Ammonia as a carbon-free energy carrier
As the EU progresses towards decarbonising its energy supply and relying more on renewable energy such as wind and solar power, as well as the production of hydrogen, the question of hydrogen storage becomes more pressing. As a producer of ammonia, the nitrogen fertilizer industry offers the key to unlocking clean energy potential by acting as a carbon-free energy carrier. It is the missing link in making decarbonisation a reality.

Fertilizers Europe
vision to 2030

Follow the orange circles to discover more.

From vision to reality

Feeding life 2030 offers a forward-looking and ambitious vision of the future of the fertilizer industry in Europe.
The report is aimed at initiating discussions with stakeholders on the future role of mineral fertilizers in the EU.

Boosting R&D
decarbonisation projects

 

As the European Commission moves ahead with its decarbonisation plans for the EU economy, it is essential that the policies proposed include the potential role ammonia could play in the decarbonisation effort. Support for research and pilot projects and the implementation of necessary standards for energy infrastructure and transportation are needed.

 

Ensuring
level-playing field

 

European mineral fertilizer producers operate in a global market. Ensuring a level playing field on fertilizer, energy and carbon costs must be the first priority. It is imperative that the EU continues to develop and uphold effective trade defence instruments to underpin fair trade.

 

 

Unleashing full potential
of circular economy

 

While the fertilizer industry is already recycling a wide range of by-products and uses surplus energy and raw materials deriving from other production processes, the full potential of the circular economy and industrial symbiosis is far from being reached. New policies and R&D&I programmes should incentivize circular thinking to ensure further optimisation of resource use, closing material loops, and minimizing environmental impacts.

What do stakeholders say

Andrea Kohl
former WWF project coordinator

“Innovating and optimising fertilization practices, with the appropriate use of available technology and strong advisory services can lead to reducing nitrogen use on farms and associated environmental impacts”

Iris Bouwers
dutch farmer

“Young farmers should be involved in nutrient management. Farm revenues should improve with more efficient fertilizer use.”