Phosphorus, top of the agenda at World Resources Forum

With several global patents for phosphorus recovery and examples of successful collaborations, Ragn-Sells and EasyMining are invited to speak at the World Resources Forum taking place in Belgium on February 26.

26 Feb 2019
Events

Through EasyMining, Ragn-Sells holds several global patents for extracting both phosphorus and rare earth metals from various types of waste.

– The scarcity of critical resources such as phosphorus and rare earth metals is a real challenge for the world. We therefore need new effective systems to recover and circulate materials that already have been extracted. A good example of this is the patented technology for phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge and mining waste we have developed, says Jan Svärd, CEO at EasyMining.

One example is Ragn-Sells collaboration with the Swedish state own mining company LKAB. There the laboratory tests have been conducted and show that the patented KMAP technology can produce more phosphorus and rare earth metals from there mining waste than expected. Based on these positive results LKAB has taken the decision on further investments. (Link to LKABs' press release)

In parallel, EasyMining has also signed a letter of intent with the German utilities company Gelsenwasser AG. Under the agreement, a pilot study will be carried out with the objective to create a facility for phosphorus recovery from incinerated sewage sludge. ( Link to press release)

Phosphorus is listed on the EU's Critical Raw Materials (CRM) list and it is a crucial component for securing our food production. Therefore, phosphorus is top on the agenda when Ragn-Sells' Sustainability Director Pär Larshans and EasyMinings’ CEO Jan Svärd speaks at the World Resources Forum.

– The highest priority is to convince policymakers that we need to change the waste hierarchy from avoiding waste into focusing on resources, says Pär Larshans Sustainability Director at Ragn-Sells.

Facts: KMAP 

The KMAP process is specifically developed for apatite from LKAB's mining waste. It handles the two types of apatite that LKAB produces in Kiruna and Malmberget in Sweden, and co-extracts phosphorus and rare earth metals. In the process, the arsenic and fluorine contained in the apatite are separated.

Facts: Phosphorus 

Without phosphorous fertilisers, agriculture could only produce half as much food. At the same time, phosphorus is a barrier: Today there is only one phosphate deposit in Europe. It is located in Finland and produces only 10 % of Europe's phosphorus needs. Phosphorus is listed on the EU's Critical Raw

Materials (CRM) list. The world's largest deposit is found in north-western Africa. The phosphate ore contains high levels of heavy metal cadmium and uranium. LKAB's phosphorus product will be free of all heavy metals.

Facts: Rare Earth Metals 

Rare earth metals are the collective name of a group of metallic elements. According to international conventions, a total of 17 elements are counted here. Many of them were discovered during the 17th and 19th centuries. Today, 95 % of the world's total production comes from mines in China. The metals are crucial for the production of computer processors, mobile phones and batteries.

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