Investment Prospects Signal Boost for Innovative Circular Economy in Saxony-Anhalt, According to Willingmann
In Saxony-Anhalt's Chemiepark Schkopau, the foundation stone for a groundbreaking phosphorus recovery facility has been laid. Phosphorus, a life-essential element and principal fertilizer component, is increasingly recognized as a critical raw material due to limited sourcing options. To address this issue, Gelsenwasser and EasyMining have partnered to reclaim this precious resource.
Saxony-Anhalt's Environment Minister, Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, attended the groundbreaking ceremony. In a statement, he highlighted the project’s potential for both environmental and economic benefits: "This innovative project will illustrate that environmental protection and resource recovery can jointly be profitable." He also expressed his satisfaction with Gelsenwasser and EasyMining's investment in sustainable technology within the region, positioning Saxony-Anhalt as an alluring economic hub and a land of cutting-edge technology in the future.
The Saxony-Anhalt Environment Ministry has allocated €27 million from the EU's Just Transition Fund (JTF) towards the recovery facility. Utilizing EasyMining's "Ash2Phos" technology, the facility targets to recover over 90% of phosphorus from sewage sludge ash. The produced "RevoCaP" can be used as a fertilizer in organic farming while also functioning as a conventional fertilizer. In addition to phosphorus, other substances, such as iron and aluminum chemicals, will be recovered as flocculants in wastewater treatment plants, and sand will also be recycled. The developers emphasize that the process successfully reduces harmful substances from material cycles, as opposed to mere dilution or immobilization.
The companies have established Phosphor Recovery Schkopau GmbH (PGS) for the construction of the facility, with a planned investment range in the high double-digit million euros. Set to commence operation in 2027, PGS aims to contribute significantly toward Germany's phosphorus recovery requirements. As the first European country to legislate phosphorus recovery, Germany is enforcing stricter regulations on wastewater treatment plants, starting with large plants in 2029 and smaller plants by 2032. The facility in Schkopau serves as a template for large-scale nutrient recovery across the EU.
As Germany imports thousands of tons of phosphorus annually, local recovery from wastewater treatment plants is seen as an effective method to reduce reliance on external sources. The majority of the world's phosphate reserves are located in just six countries, with Morocco possessing more than two-thirds of the reserves. The facility in Schkopau has the potential to help Germany lessen its dependence on foreign phosphorus imports in the coming years.
Lars Lindén, CEO of the Swedish Ragn-Sells Group, the parent company of EasyMining, stressed the importance of resource reuse for building a sustainable society, particularly for critical raw materials such as phosphorus. The completion of the facility in Schkopau is expected to create a more self-sufficient phosphorus supply for Saxony-Anhalt and beyond, offering significant benefits to both the agricultural sector and the environment.
- The phosphorus recovery facility in Saxony-Anhalt's Chemiepark Schkopau, powered by EasyMining's "Ash2Phos" technology, aims to exceed 13% of phosphorus content by weight, a productive method recognized in environmental-science and climate-change discourse.
- The science behind phosphorus recovery is not solely focused on agriculture; it also presents an opportunity for economic growth in industries such as renewable-energy and finance, as investing in such projects can contribute positively to the business sector and the housing-market, driven by the real-estate industry.
- The Schkopau facility, upon operation in 2027, will not only recover over 90% of phosphorus but also other substances, including iron and aluminum chemicals, reducing reliance on external sources even in the climate-change scenario.
- Recovering phosphorus locally, with Germany being the first European country to legislate phosphorus recovery, aligns with the country's environmental initiatives and positions it as a leader in environmental-science and sustainable technology in the industry.
- The facility's potential to lessen dependence on foreign phosphorus imports from countries like Morocco, which holds more than two-thirds of the world's phosphate reserves, underlines the importance of resource reuse for building a sustainable society, as advocated by Lars Lindén, CEO of the Swedish Ragn-Sells Group.
- The success of the phosphorus recovery facility in Schkopau will serve as a model for large-scale nutrient recovery across the EU, signifying a step forward in addressing the critical raw material issue and contributing to a greener, self-sufficient future in the climate-change context.
