The environmental company Ragn-Sells has announced an investment in a new plant for recovering phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge in Helsingborg, Sweden. This facility will be the second to utilize the Ash2Phos technology developed by the innovation company EasyMining. Together with the ongoing plant project in Schkopau, Germany, this investment significantly increases Europe’s capacity for sustainable phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ashes. The new facility in Sweden is planned to start-up in 2028.
“If we are serious about creating a sustainable society, we must reuse the resources we already have, over and over again. With this new plant, we are scaling up our ability to recover phosphorus and provide Europe with a sustainable alternative to mined resources. It’s a vital step in addressing global challenges like resource scarcity and climate change,” says Anders Kihl, Head of Strategy and R&D at Ragn-Sells.
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all life on the planet but also a resource that is very unevenly distributed with one single nation controlling some 75% of global reserves.The Ash2Phos process, developed by EasyMining, enables the recovery of over 90% of the phosphorus in ash from incinerated sewage sludge. The recycled phosphorus can replace virgin phosphorus in fertilisers and as feed phosphate, reducing dependence on mining of limited virgin resources.
“Our technology turns waste into valuable resources, enabling a circular economy and contributing to a more resilient food system in Europe and beyond,” says Jan Svärd, CEO at EasyMining.
Phosphorus recovery is crucial not only for agriculture but also for addressing global emissions. According to the UN, nearly half of all climate emissions come from extracting and processing virgin raw materials. Recycled phosphorus is chemically equivalent to mined phosphorus but contains fewer contaminants, such as heavy metals, making it safer for use in the food supply chain.
In addition to its use as a sustainable fertiliser in agriculture, recycled phosphorus from the Ash2Phos process also serves as a valuable resource in animal feed production. The phosphate it produces is safe, highly digestible for animals, and contributes to closing the loop on phosphorus use. In November 2023, Ragn-Sells and EasyMining partnered with Canada based Friesen Group to develop a market for a premium feed product, demonstrating the versatility of recovered phosphorus.
The plant in Helsingborg, Sweden, will have the capacity to process 30,000 tonnes of ash annually, producing 15,000 tonnes of phosphorus in the form of calcium phosphate. Together with the plant under construction in Germany, Ragn-Sells is strengthening its ability to meet growing demand for recycling of phosphorus from sewage sludge ashes.
“This single plant in Helsingborg can reduce CO₂ emissions while providing a sustainable, locally sourced alternative to mined phosphorus. Scaling this technology is key to addressing the global phosphorus challenge and ensuring sustainable food production,” adds Anders Kihl. “Moreover, this facility will enable further circular material flows in the future, fostering innovation and sustainability.”
The project has received SEK 51 million in support from Klimatklivet, Sweden's state investment aid for climate projects.
The first Ash2Phos-based facility, under construction in Germany, is expected to begin production in 2027, with initial orders already secured.
For further information, please contact:
Anders Kihl, Head of Strategy and R&D at Ragn-Sells, +46709272684, anders.kihl@ragnsells.com
Jan Svärd, CEO at EasyMining, +46709786474, jan.svard@easymining.com
Emma Ranerfors, Press Officer at Ragn-Sells, +46709272400, press@ragnsells.com
Facts: Phosphorus
Facts: Ash2Phos plant in Helsingborg
Facts: Klimatklivet
Klimatklivet is a state investment aid for local and regional measures that reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that affect the climate. The initiative is part of the state budget decided by the Swedish parliament.
The investment is co-financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) and the European Union NextGenerationEU.
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 wants to be living proof that caring for the earth and business go hand in hand. Ragn-Sells is a family owned corporate group founded in 1881. The company operates in four countries and employs over 2,500 people. In 2023, Ragn-Sells’ turnover was SEK 8.5 billion. www.ragnsells.com