2026-11-05 06:50Press release

New report: Small EU rule change could unlock 9.3 billion euros in investments for circular phosphorus production 

Graph of value of EU imports

A minor revision of the EU’s animal feed legislation could unlock more than 9.3 billion euros in investments and reduce Europe’s dependence on imported phosphorus from countries like Russia. That is the conclusion of a new report by global strategy advisor RMG Consulting. 
 
The report, commissioned by environmental company Ragn-Sells, identifies access to the European feed market as a key factor for unlocking investment in phosphorus recycling. According to the analysis, opening the feed market to phosphorus recovered from incinerated sewage sludge could create more than 7,400 direct jobs and generate 850 million euros in annual revenues across the EU, Norway and the UK. 
 
“The findings suggest that Europe may be overlooking a significant opportunity,” says Magnus Ericsson, co-founder of RMG Consulting and Adjunct Professor at Luleå University of Technology. “Relatively limited regulatory changes could unlock substantial investment while supporting Europe’s ambitions on competitiveness, resilience and access to strategic raw materials.” 
 
Phosphorus is essential for food production and is listed by the European Union as a Critical Raw Material. Yet Europe remains heavily dependent on phosphate rock imports, with Russia among the EU’s largest suppliers despite the war in Ukraine. 
 
Under current EU legislation, phosphorus recovered from sewage cannot be used in animal feed, regardless of product quality. According to the report, this restriction weakens the business case for phosphorus recovery and counteracts investments in domestic phosphorus production. 
 
“Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash could strengthen resource security, support industrial investment and contribute to a more resilient food system. One of the main barriers identified is regulatory rather than technical,” says Magnus Ericsson. 
 
The findings come at a time of growing concern over the resilience of the global fertiliser supply chain. The European Commission’s new Fertiliser Action Plan highlights nutrient recycling as a tool for strengthening food security and resource resilience. Sweden has also called on the Commission to seek a new risk assessment by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) as a step towards revising the feed legislation. 
 
“Food security starts with phosphorus. Europe continues to import phosphorus from Russia while blocking the use of recycled phosphorus recovered from its own wastewater in feed. Removing that contradiction is a small step with massive potential positive impact,” says Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Ragn-Sells Group. 
 
The report was commissioned by Ragn-Sells and produced by RMG Consulting. Read the full report here.
 
For further comment or interviews, please contact:  
Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ragn-Sells Group, +46 70 927 29 63,  par.larshans@ragnsells.com  
Magnus Ericsson, co-founder of RMG Consulting and Adjunct Professor at Luleå University of Technology, +46 070 558 00 65, magnus@gladtjarnen.se  
Debby Porter Laffitte, Press Officer, Ragn-Sells Group, +46 10 723 24 00, press@ragnsells.com  
 
Business opportunities from circularity 
According to the report, large-scale phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash in the EU, Norway and the UK could generate: 

• More than 9.3 billion euros in investments 
• More than 850 million euros in annual revenues 
• More than 7,400 direct jobs 

The report also concludes that access to higher-value markets, such as animal feed, would improve the economics of phosphorus recovery projects and reduce costs for wastewater operators. In addition, phosphorus recovery could support sectors that depend on effective nutrient management, including aquaculture. 

Source: “Societal benefits of recycling phosphorus in the EU”, report by RMG Consulting 
 
What is Phosphorus? 
Phosphorus is essential for all life and plays a key role in plant growth, making it vital for both mineral fertilisers and animal feed. EasyMining’s Ash2Phos technology recovers more than 90 percent of the phosphorus from sewage sludge ash, enabling Europe to reduce its reliance on imported phosphorus by producing recycled phosphorus locally. 
The first large-scale Ash2Phos plant is now being built in Schkopau, Germany. The recovered phosphorus product is a calcium phosphate marketed as RevoCaP. 

Recycled calcium phosphate has been approved for use as a fertiliser in organic farming in the EU but remains barred from animal feed because current rules prohibit materials derived from wastewater. Sweden has called for the rules to be reviewed. 
Source: Ragn-Sells and EasyMining 
 
Further reading: https://www.ragnsells.com/circular-transition/think-circular/foodsecurity/ 

Topics: Research & Development

About Ragn-Sells Group

The environmental company Ragn-Sells converts waste into raw materials that can be used over and over again. Ragn-Sells drives the transition to a circular economy through solutions that reduce its own and other actors' environmental and climate impact. Ragn-Sells is a family owned corporate group founded in 1881. The company operates in five countries and employs over 2,700 people. In 2025, Ragn-Sells’ turnover was 9,120 MSEK. www.ragnsells.com

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