Project title
AQUAPHOENIX – Innovative solutions to reduce Aquaculture emissions and valorise sludge through Phosphorus and Nitrogen extraction
Project leader
Elin Larsson, EasyMining
Duration
2025-2029
Funding
The project is funded by EU Horizon Europe
Partners
NORCE, Ålands fiskarodlarförening, AQUAPRO, St1 Biokraft, Brändö LAX, EATIP, Eide, FRAMO, Institute of marine research, Lingalaks, Storfjärdens Fisk AB, Naturresursinstitutet (Luke), Framo LiftUP Solutions, NIOZ Sea Research, Ragn-Sells Havbrukand Seascape Belgium.
AQUAPHOENIX
In the AquaPhoenix project, we contribute to reducing aquaculture emissions and valorising fish sludge by recovering phosphorus and nitrogen, supporting the transition to circular aquaculture.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector, but it generates large volumes of nutrient-rich sludge that can harm marine ecosystems if not properly managed.
AQUAPHOENIX is a EU Horizon Europe-funded project, that aims to develop sustainable solutions for capturing and reusing waste from open sea fish farms. The project combines innovative sludge collection technology with circular economic approaches to transform aquaculture waste into valuable resources like fertilisers and energy.
EasyMining’s role focuses on recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from fish sludge. Nitrogen is extracted from the reject water after anaerobic digestion, producing ammonium-based fertilisers. Phosphorus is recovered from the ash of incinerated sludge and digestate. Both nutrient products are analysed for quality and regulatory compliance, enabling safe and efficient recycling into the agricultural sector.
The project is being demonstrated at sites in Norway and Finland and involves collaboration between research institutions, aquaculture companies, and technology providers to advance zero-pollution aquaculture across Europe.
Schematic of the work in AquaPhoenix from collection of sludge and environmental monitoring, to pathways of valorizing the sludge as energy and recovering the nitrogen and phosphorus.
