Electrochemical organic waste conversion: a route toward food security and a circular economy

Rising global food demand requires rethinking fertilizer production. The current Haber-Bosch process, while fundamental to nitrogen fertilizer, consumes 1–2% of global energy and generates 1.4% of CO 2 emissions. Projected population growth will increase nitrogen demand 50% by 2050. Waste valorization through electrocatalytic approaches offers a sustainable solution, targeting municipal, agricultural, and animal waste streams. Analysis shows US municipal wastewater biosolids alone could provide 9% of nitrogen and 32% of phosphorus needs in the United States. The transition from centralized fertilizer production to a distributed production model requires new chemical engineering approaches, emphasizing local resource integration, system optimization, and circular economy principles. • Circular fertilizer production strengthens global food security. • Circular fertilizer systems are key to meeting the United Nations sustainability goals. • Multivalued products unlocked sustainable fertilizer production from waste. • Chemical engineering skills must evolve for circular fertilizer production.