Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Resource Logistics Analysis on Phosphorus
and its Applications for Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) Policy
Kazuyo Matsubae and Tetsuya Nagasaka
Abstract
Phosphorus is an important strategic resource for agricultural food pro-
duction and the chemical industry. Natural phosphate ore is traded worldwide as a
raw material for fertilizers; however, owing to the growing demand for fertilizers
worldwide, its deposits could deplete within the next century. The average price
of the ore in 2008 was approximately twice that in 2007. Considering the limited
supplies of phosphorus, it is important to evaluate the quantity and availability of
currently untapped phosphorus resources. Thus, we developed the Integrated Phos-
phorus Cycle Input Output (IPCIO) model to estimate the phosphorus requirements
for economic activities and to evaluate the recycling effects of reutilizing currently
untapped phosphorus resources. The model's accounting framework includes four
natural resources, 25 phosphorus-related commodities in physical terms, and 389
intermediate sectors of the Japanese economy for 2005.
Keywords
Resource logistics
·
Sustainable resource management
·
MFA
·
Stakeholders
·
Supply chain
·
STI policy
9.1
Introduction
Scientific technologies are researched, developed, and then disseminated to wider
society under resource and environmental constraints. Resource limitations lead to
the creation of new green innovative technologies, which in turn generate additional
resource demands. In fact, innovations in science and technology (S&T) are impor-
tant drivers of economic performance, although we still have inadequate knowledge
to develop scientific and technological innovations to solve all problems in society.
In order to facilitate innovation, it is necessary to understand the flow of resources
in the supply chain. However, such a 'bottom-up' approach does not allow a com-
prehensive understanding of the changes in the resource demand structure of supply
