New analysis reveals multi-billion-euro potential in recycled phosphorus

A minor revision of EU animal feed legislation could unlock more than EUR 9 billion in investments, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Europe’s resource security. That is the conclusion of a new report by global mineral strategy advisor RMG Consulting on the potential of recycled phosphorus.

05 Nov 2026
Position & Debate

Europe remains heavily dependent on imported phosphorus despite the nutrient being essential for food production and classified by the EU as a Critical Raw Material. According to a new report from RMG Consulting, significant economic and strategic benefits could be realised if recycled phosphorus recovered from sewage sludge ash were allowed to enter the European animal feed market.

"At a time when food supply chains are becoming more uncertain, the EU’s dependence on imported phosphate should be a wake-up call for policymakers. By simply updating an annex in the feed legislation, the EU could unlock significant investment, strengthen its competitiveness and reduce its dependency on Russia," says Jonas Hagman, CEO of EasyMining.

The report, Societal Benefits of Recycling Phosphorus in the EU, examines the impact of removing current regulatory barriers that prevent recycled phosphorus from being used in animal feed, despite the availability of technologies capable of producing high-quality recovered phosphorus.

One example is Ash2Phos, EasyMining’s patented technology for recovering phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ash. The technology is now being deployed at industrial scale in Europe, producing the recycled phosphorus product RevoCaP.

The report concludes that regulatory barriers, rather than technological limitations, are preventing Europe from fully utilising phosphorus resources already available within its borders.

"Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash could strengthen resource security, support industrial investment and contribute to a more resilient food system. One of the main barriers identified is regulatory rather than technical," says Magnus Ericsson, co-founder of RMG Consulting and one of the report’s authors.

The analysis comes at a time when the European Union is seeking to strengthen competitiveness, resilience and access to strategic raw materials. Nutrient recycling has also been highlighted by the European Commission as an important tool for strengthening food security and reducing dependence on imported resources.

The report was commissioned by Ragn-Sells and produced by RMG Consulting.

Facts: Key findings from the report

According to the report, large-scale phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash in the EU, Norway and the UK could generate:

  • More than EUR 9 billion in new investments
  • More than 7,400 new jobs
  • More than EUR 850 million in annual revenues
  • Reduced dependence on imported phosphorus
  • Increased food security and supply resilience
  • Environmental and public health benefits through improved phosphorus management

    Source:     “Societal benefits of recycling phosphorus in the EU”, report by RMG Consulting 

Facts: Why this matters

  • Phosphorus is essential for food production and food security.
  • The EU classifies phosphorus as a Critical Raw Material.
  • The European Commission’s Fertiliser Action Plan recently highlighted nutrient recycling as a tool for strengthening food security and resource resilience.
  • Europe remains dependent on imported phosphorus, including imports from Russia.
  • Technologies for recovering high-quality phosphorus from sewage sludge ash are already available and being deployed at industrial scale.

Facts: EasyMining's solution

Ash2™Phos
Ash2Phos is EasyMining’s patented technology for recovering phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ash. The process recovers more than 90 percent of the phosphorus while also extracting other valuable resources, helping transform waste into critical raw materials.

 Ash2Phos technology

RevoCaP™
The recovered phosphorus is transformed into RevoCaP, a high-quality recycled calcium phosphate product. RevoCaP is approved for use as a fertiliser in organic farming within the European Union and has been assessed for future use in animal feed.

 RevoCaP

First full-scale plant under construction
EasyMining is currently deploying Ash2Phos at industrial scale through the construction of the world's first full-scale phosphorus recovery plant in Schkopau, Germany. Once operational, the facility will demonstrate how recycled phosphorus can contribute to a more resilient and circular European food system.

 Schkopau project updates

Facts: About the report

Title: Societal Benefits of Recycling Phosphorus in the EU
Produced by: RMG Consulting
Commissioned by: Ragn-Sells

Link to report

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