EasyMining pioneers recycled feed phosphate for EU market 

EUROPE – Swedish firm EasyMining is advancing its efforts to bring recycled feed phosphate (RFP) to the European Union market, aiming to prove its viability as a sustainable feed ingredient for livestock. 

The company patented its Ash2Phos process in 2014, which focused on recovering phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ash.

The product of this process, RevoCaP, is a non-crystalline calcium phosphate designed to replace traditional phosphorus sources in animal feed.

To demonstrate RevoCaP’s digestibility and effectiveness, EasyMining has embarked on several collaborative projects. Notably, a new study in partnership with Aarhus University and Danish feed company DLG aims to assess the digestibility of RFP in weaned pigs. 

This research will compare RevoCaP with other common phosphorus sources, such as di-calcium phosphate (DCP) and mono-calcium phosphate (MCP), to determine its suitability for young pigs whose digestive efficiency is often compromised.

EasyMining’s previous studies indicated that RevoCaP is highly digestible for animals like pigs and chickens and meets all quality standards set by feed legislation. 

However, this new study is particularly significant as it addresses the needs of weaned pigs, a critical stage in livestock development. The trial will run from August to October 2024, with results expected by April 2025.

Sara Stiernström, product manager at EasyMining, emphasised the importance of this research for achieving EU approval. Current EU regulations prohibit using feed additives derived from manure and wastewater despite the proven safety and quality of RevoCaP. 

EasyMining is pushing for legislative changes, arguing that these regulations hinder the adoption of a circular economy approach to phosphorus management.

In the meantime, EasyMining is expanding its operations in Canada, where regulatory conditions are more favourable. The company is constructing two phosphorus recovery plants in Germany and Sweden, which are expected to be operational by 2027 and 2028, respectively.

These plants will process 30,000 metric tons of sewage sludge ash annually, producing 15,000 tons of RevoCaP, which will initially be exported to Canada.

EasyMining’s efforts to commercialise RevoCaP represent a significant step toward more sustainable feed production. The company aims to reduce dependency on imported phosphorus and promote local, environmentally friendly production methods by recycling phosphorus from sewage sludge ash. 

The success of these initiatives could pave the way for broader acceptance and use of recycled feed phosphates in the EU and beyond.

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