EasyMining and Gelsenwasser, partners in the joint venture Phosphorgewinnung Schkopau GmbH (PGS), have committed to a significant investment to establish the world's first plant for phosphorus recovery based on the Ash2Phos technology in Schkopau, Germany, according to a recent press release. Scheduled to start operations in early 2027, the 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", says Christian Kabbe, Managing Director at Phosphorgewinnung Schkopau and EasyMining Germany.
With a targeted capacity of 30,000 tonnes of sewage sludge ash annually, equivalent to 10% of Germany's current sewage sludge ash volume, the new facility will play a pivotal role in securing a stable and locally sourced supply of high-quality phosphorus within Europe.
The Ash2Phos technology, developed by EasyMining, boasts an impressive phosphorus extraction rate exceeding 90% from the ash of incinerated sewage sludge. 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.
Scheduled to start operations in early 2027, the plant represents a paradigm shift in phosphorus recovery technology
Furthermore, the Ash2Phos plant will not only recover phosphorus but also 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," says Martin Braunersreuther, Managing Director at Phosphorgewinnung Schkopau. "Through collaborative endeavours, we aim to realise defined targets for phosphorus recovery, while simultaneously advancing sustainable practices and enhancing resource efficiency."
Phosphorus, an essential component in fertilisers and livestock feed, remains predominantly sourced from non-renewable phosphate rock. However, the advent of innovative processes such as Ash2Phos heralds a transformative era in 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” says Mr. Kabbe.
With the conditional approval of necessary permits, the 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.
