EDL Anlagenbau Gesellschaft mbH has been awarded the contract for project management and engineering services for a phosphorus recovery plant by Phosphorgewinnung Schkopau GmbH (PGS). PGS, based in Gelsenkirchen, is a joint venture between the Swedish innovation company EasyMining and the German infrastructure company Gelsenwasser AG. The company is planning to build the world's first plant for phosphorus recovery using the innovative Ash2®Phos process developed by EasyMining. The plant is to be built in Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt) and is scheduled to go into operation in 2027.
According to the German Sewage Sludge Ordinance, it will be mandatory in Germany to recycle the phosphorus contained in sewage sludge as from 2029. PGS is playing a pioneering role with this project and is taking a decisive step towards a sustainable future at an early stage. Dr. Christian Kabbe, Managing Director at PGS, emphasizes: “If we are serious about creating a more sustainable society, we need to use the resources we already have produced over and over again. We are therefore very proud of building the first plant for phosphorus recovery based on our Ash2Phos technology and creating a great opportunity to pioneer circular solutions for essential nutrients like phosphorus but also other important resources such as iron, aluminium and sand.”
Sewage sludge as a valuable resource
The plant processes the ash resulting from incineration of sewage sludge, and extracts from it phosphorus, which is essential for life, and other elements such as iron and aluminum. These are fed back into the economic cycle. The processing capacity is currently 30,000 tons of ash per year. The phosphorus obtained is suitable for use as a fertilizer in agriculture. Due to its high quality and purity, it can also be used in animal feed. Other potential applications include the production of batteries. This will break new ground in the use of sewage sludge, and open up an important, sustainable source of phosphorus.
EDL is assuming the role of owner's engineer for this innovative project as well as providing comprehensive project management, engineering, and construction supervision services for the entire project, which is split into separate sub-projects. The services also include monitoring the budget, the schedule, procurement and coordination of the individual subcontracts.
"We are looking forward to working with all parties involved and are proud to be part of this promising project. We are jointly making an important contribution to the circular economy. As a native of Gelsenkirchen, I am particularly pleased about the symbiosis in the cooperation between the international technology provider and shareholder EasyMining, the Gelsenkirchen-based Gelsenwasser AG, and the local proximity of the plant to EDL”, says Daniel Oryan, Managing Director of EDL.
