New Process Fact Sheets: RePhoR Technologies at a Glance

Process fact sheets are now available for download for all seven collaborative projects within the BMFTR funding initiative RePhoR. Each sheet provides a concise overview of the key technical information on the respective recycling process: a short project description, a process diagram, process data, properties of the recovered phosphorus recyclates, and notes on operational requirements. The fact sheets are aimed at anyone seeking a quick, well-founded introduction to the processes developed and tested within RePhoR, whether as a reference for their own planning or as a starting point for exploring the project documentation.

Phosphorus is an essential and irreplaceable element in all living organisms and is primarily used as fertilizer for high-yield agriculture. Since the EU has no domestic phosphate rock deposits, it is entirely dependent on imports, which poses significant risks to supply security. Recovering phosphorus from phosphorus-rich waste streams such as wastewater and sewage sludge plays a key role in securing future supply.

Since 2020, seven collaborative projects have been working on phosphorus recovery concepts within the BMFTR-funded RePhoR initiative, implementing them at a large technical scale. In addition to technical aspects, the projects also address legal and organizational challenges—such as inter-municipal cooperation, partnerships with private sector actors, logistics, certification requirements, and the quality and marketability of the recovered products. Most of the projects have now built their facilities and gained initial operational experience. These practical insights are essential to support future investment decisions based on well-founded knowledge.