ESPP workshops on phosphorus as a Critical Raw Material and on White Phosphorus (P4)

Outline programme

Wednesday 19^th November:
10h30 – 12h: ESPP General Assembly (members only)

14h – 17h30: workshop 1

Phosphate – an EU Critical Raw Material, key to food security and agriculture resilience

This workshop will discuss the criticality of nutrients as agricultural inputs, essential for food production and agricultural sovereignty:

• Which nutrients are ‘Critical’ for EU agriculture, regarding quantitative needs, supply security (EU production, global supply, EU supply security, quality criteria) ?
• Links between farm nutrient use efficiency, nutrient recycling, supply security
• The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (2024/1252) centres on actions for “Strategic” industries: should the EU have a Critical Agricultural Inputs Act ?
• How should the next EU Common Agricultural Policy 2028-2034 address nutrient security ?

17h30: Networking drinks
20h: Informal dinner

Thursday 20^th November:
9h – 12h30: workshop 2

P₄ (white phosphorus) a ‘Strategic’ Raw Material for Europe ? 

P₄ (white phosphorus) is included in the EU Critical Raw Materials List in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act 2024/1252 (under the term ‘Phosphorus’, separately from ‘Phosphate Rock’). But it is not included in the sub-list of ‘Strategic’ Raw Materials (that is: for “Strategic Technologies”, defined as green transition, in particular renewable energies, digital, defence and aerospace). This is despite P₄ being essential in e.g. fire safety (electronic and electrical systems, data cables, insulation, biobased materials, aerospace …), batteries, semiconductors, photovoltaic panels, crude oil extraction, jet engine lubricants, metallurgy, chemicals … And despite the EU and the world market being today dependent on only two suppliers: Vietnam and Kazakhstan.

Check the detailled programme.