In Haldensleben, Seraplant GmbH opens the only recycling plant of its kind in Germany for the production of phosphate fertilizer

Phosphorus and its compounds are essential substances for people, animals and plants. As long ago as 2014, the European Commission put phosphorus on its list of critical raw materials. By 2029 at the latest, it will be possible to recycle more phosphorus from sewage sludge in Germany. Seraplant GmbH from Haldensleben (in the Börde district) has worked with Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH from Weimar to develop an innovative plant that can recover phosphorus from sewage sludge ash and process it to produce new phosphate fertilizers. After a construction period of only 20 months, the plant was recently officially opened at its new site in the port of Haldensleben in the presence of the Minister for Economy of Saxony-Anhalt Professor Armin Willingmann.

Seraplant plans to produce more than 60,000 metric tons of phosphate fertilizer annually. The company has invested 22 million euros in the plant and created 20 new jobs. The Ministry for Economy of Saxony-Anhalt has provided investment funding of more than 4.95 million euros for the plant from the Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW) and another 3.5 million euros from the Environmental Innovation Program of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. In addition, IBG Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH, the state investment company, has also invested in the facility.

“Seraplant GmbH is a good example of how technical innovations can lead to a sustainable and, at the same time, profitable business,” said Willingmann as the plant was put into operation. “With its investment and the related jobs, the company is not only strengthening the regional economy but also ensuring a supply of phosphate fertilizer for the agricultural industry. The goal of the Ministry for Economy is to support companies’ innovative development projects and investment plans in the years to come to enable Saxony-Anhalt to develop into a state for future technologies that can offer high-quality jobs.”

“The plant in Haldensleben that will produce single- and multi-nutrient fertilizers containing phosphate for use in agriculture and forestry is the only one of its kind in Germany,” explained Henning Schmidt, CEO of Seraplant GmbH. “Our circular economy project will make an important contribution to the sustainable and resource-efficient production of phosphorus, which is an essential material. No hazardous interim products, residues or exhaust gases are produced during the process, which is entirely waste-free.” Schmidt also announced plans to work on further phosphorus recovery projects with Seraplant’s partner Glatt Ingenieurtechnik. He emphasized that: “The Seraplant recycled phosphorus fertilizers will have a highly positive ecological effect, significantly reduce the impact on the environment and contribute to Germany's food security.”

Source: mw.sachsen-anhalt.de