In Germany, technology developer EasyMining Germany and GELSENWASSER AG, a subsidiary of gas and water company Wasser Und Gas Westfalen GmbH & Co. Holding Kg, and partners in the joint venture Phosphorgewinnung Schkopau GmbH (PGS), have committed to "a significant investment" to establish world's first plant for phosphorus recovery in Schkopau based on the Ash2Phos technology.
Scheduled to start operations in early 2027, the planned PGS Ash2Phos plant represents a paradigm shift in phosphorus recovery technology.
At EasyMining, we view the establishment of the first plant for phosphorus recovery based on our Ash2Phos technology, as a great opportunity to pioneer circular solutions for essential nutrients like phosphorus, said Christian Kabbe, Managing Director at PGS and EasyMining Germany.
With a targeted capacity of processing 30,000 tonnes of sewage sludge ash (SSA) annually, equivalent to 10 percent of Germany’s current SSA volume, the new facility will play a pivotal role in securing a stable and locally sourced supply of high-quality phosphorus within Europe.
High extraction rate
Developed by EasyMining, an innovation company and part of Sweden’s waste management company RagnSells Group, the Ash2Phos process boasts an impressive phosphorus extraction rate exceeding 90 percent from SSA.
With this investment, the joint venture aims to diminish the reliance on traditional phosphorus sources, such as phosphate rock, in favour of locally produced recycled phosphorus, thus mitigating environmental impact, and promoting resource autonomy.
Furthermore, along with phosphorous, the Ash2Phos plant will yield valuable co-products including ferric chloride, sodium aluminate, and sand, positioning them as indispensable commodities crucial for various societal applications.
As members of the ‘Clean Phosphorus 2029’ initiative, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering environmentally friendly phosphorus recovery processes. Through collaborative endeavours, we aim to realise defined targets for phosphorus recovery, while simultaneously advancing sustainable practices and enhancing resource efficiency, said Martin Braunersreuther, Managing Director at PGS.
Phosphorus recovery soon a requirement in Germany
Phosphorus, an essential component in fertilisers and livestock feed, remains predominantly sourced from imported non-renewable phosphate rock.
The Sauberer Phosphor 2029 (Clean Phosphorus) initiative works to champion and advocate for phosphorus recovery and recycling processes in Germany that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Each member of the initiative is a company that deals with either wastewater management or phosphorus recovery.
The initiative is directly linked to the German Sewage Sludge Ordinance, which requires phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash starting in 2029.
Innovative process
The advent of innovative processes such as Ash2Phos heralds a transformative era in phosphorus recovery.
The Ash2Phos process can transform SSA into a raw material for phosphorus extraction and thereby be a part of a circular solution for phosphorus management.
The process consists of three steps: a first acidic step, a second alkaline step (where intermediate products are produced), and a final conversion step where the intermediates are processed into final products.
With the conditional approval of necessary permits, the PGS joint venture is poised to embark on the detailed engineering phase, paving the way for the realisation of the world’s first Ash2Phos plant and heralding a new era of sustainable phosphorus recovery.
If we are serious about creating a sustainable society, we need to use the resources we already have, over and over again. Therefore, we are glad that within this investment we will be able to unlock the potential of sewage sludge ash as a domestic and circular phosphorus source, ended Christian Kabbe.
