Episode #2 explores the importance of nutrient recovery, specifically the recovery of phosphorus, from wastewater and waste sludge. The depletion of phosphorus reserves and the overuse of fertilizers have led to environmental pollution like eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Rag'n'Sells, a recycling company, has diversified to become a future material producer, focusing on phosphorus recovery. Their technology, called Ash2Phos, extracts phosphorus and other valuable materials from sewage sludge and other waste streams. Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer at Rag'n'Sells shares insights into the Havbruk project, where waste from Norwegian fish farms is turned into biogas and nutrients are recovered. The recovered phosphorus can be used as a feed phosphate or in organic farming. However, regulatory challenges and the need for partnerships and infrastructure pose obstacles to scaling up the technology. Moving towards a bio-circular economy and transforming wastewater treatment plants into resource plants is crucial for sustainable food production and environmental protection.


Takeaways

• Phosphorus is a critical raw material that is essential for stable food production, but its reserves are depleting and overuse is causing environmental pollution.
• Recovering phosphorus and other valuable materials from wastewater and waste sludge can address the problem of resource depletion and pollution.
• Rag'n'Sells has developed the Ash2Phos technology, which extracts phosphorus and other materials from sewage sludge and waste streams.
• Scaling up the technology requires regulatory changes, partnerships, and infrastructure development.

Useful Links
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/critical-raw-materials/

https://foodplanetprize.org/initiatives/easymining-is-recycling-nutrients-agriculture-needs-2/

https://www.ragnsells.com/what-we-do/inspired/cop28-sustainable-fish-farming-norway/

https://www.ragnsells.com/what-we-do/inspired/norwegian-fish-poop-can-replace-russian-gas-and-phosphorus/

https://www.10billionchallenge.org