Facility in Schkopau to Recover Phosphorus from Sewage Waste - Sewage sludge processing plant established in Schkopau for phosphorus extraction
Groundbreaking Phosphorus Recovery Facility Unveiled in Schkopau, Germany
Schkopau, Germany, marks a significant milestone in sustainable waste management with the announcement of a novel phosphorus recovery facility. Known as Phosphorus Recovery Schkopau GmbH (PGS), this state-of-the-art plant represents a global trailblazer in industrial-scale phosphorus extraction from sewage sludge ash.
The facility, anticipated to treat 30,000 tonnes of sewage sludge ash annually, will be situated at the Schkopau Chemical Park in Saxony-Anhalt. Primarily, the plant will handle ash from the mono-incineration plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, with the capacity to process ash from similar facilities as well.
The PGS initiative is a joint venture between GELSENWASSER AG and EasyMining Services Sweden AB, established in 2021 to construct Germany's first "Ash2Phos" plant. This venture aims to attain full industrial-scale phosphorus recovery.
The process employed by the new facility involves mono-incineration of sewage sludge, resulting in ash containing phosphorus. From this ash, the plant will produce a clean phosphorus product called RevoCaP. This innovative method not only supports municipal wastewater treatment but also contributes to water and soil protection by decreasing pollutants in the material cycle and recycling a critical raw material.
Germany leads the way in Europe by legally mandating phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge, starting from 2029. This facility, therefore, stands as more than just a national venture; it serves as a model for large-scale nutrient recovery across the European Union. It aligns with the EU's objectives of resource efficiency and circular economy by advocating for phosphorus recycling and reducing dependency on raw phosphorus imports.
The investment for the new construction is significant, estimated in the high double-digit millions. To aid this ambitious project, the Ministry of the Environment has pledged around 27 million euros from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) of the EU.
By reducing the current high import dependency and promoting the recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge, the PGS facility is poised to have a substantial impact on waste and resource management in Germany and beyond. completion is expected within the next two years.
- The employment policy of the joint venture between GELSENWASSER AG and EasyMining Services Sweden AB, established to construct Germany's first "Ash2Phos" plant, should prioritize hiring specialists in environmental-science, ensuring the successful management and operation of the groundbreaking phosphorus recovery facility in Schkopau, Germany.
- The science behind the innovative phosphorus recovery process employed by the PGS facility in Schkopau, Germany, will attract investment from the finance sector, as financiers seek opportunities in sustainable and impactful industries.
- To foster a community policy that promotes sustainable waste management and resource efficiency, Germany's new phosphorus recovery facility in Schkopau serves as a tangible example for other European Union countries, inspiring them to invest in similar large-scale nutrient recovery initiatives to support the EU's circular economy objectives and reduce reliance on raw phosphorus imports.
