Measurement of fertilizer flows to advance circularity and resilience to climate change

Circularity strategies addressing climate change and resource depletion depend on evaluating material and energy flows between biosphere and technosphere. Material flow analysis (MFA) is essential for measuring the physical economy of socioeconomic metabolism, yet its widespread adoption is limited by uncertainties, incomplete inventories, and lack of expertise at the organizational level. Despite this, MFA is gaining traction as a decision-making tool also within companies. This research examines MFA's application to fertilizer flows in green chemistry, and circularity indicators to promote healthy soils rich in organic matter/biodiversity while minimizing environmental impacts. The first substance flow analysis indicators for phosphorus management were introduced in 2006, highlighting losses, stocks, and unaccounted-for flows, but the challenge remains to apply a harmonized model across multiple cases. In nitrogen metabolism, studies estimate hidden flows and storage in the agri-food system, and corporate efforts leveraging MFA can spur similar developments in nutrient flow management, particularly in agriculture.