Whoever thought Europe could handle a shortage of bone‑sharpening mineral is in for a shock.
Despite the ongoing drama in Ukraine, the EU’s pantry still has a hefty portion of its phosphorus drawn from Russian mines.
Numbers that make you gasp
According to a fresh eye‑opener from a Swedish environmental firm, the EU bought roughly €500 million worth of phosphorus from Russia in the first half of 2025. That’s a jump of more than 30 % over the same span a year earlier.
Why it matters
- Food security fears
Phosphorus is a key nutrient for crops. - Supply chain drama
Heavy reliance on a country that’s currently in conflict poses a risk. - Wastewater opportunity
We could actually recycle phosphorus from our own sewage.
Expert take
“It’s deeply worrying that the EU is pulling more and more phosphorus from Russian mines,” says Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ragn‑Sells. “If Europe really cares about staying resilient and keeping its food supply safe, we should stop importing raw materials and start tapping into the phosphorus we already have in our open‑to‑the‑world wastewater.”
What could change
Think about it: re‑cycling phosphorus from wastewater could turn “in‑house waste” into “in‑house fertilizer.” That would mean less dependence on any external source—especially one that’s actively waging a war.
EU policymakers may want to sit down, realize the hiccup, and push for domestic recycling solutions before the next “phosphate panic.”
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Enter Phosphorus: The Hidden Pillar of European Food Security
Phosphorus is the unsung hero behind every batch of lawn‑green grass and every forkful of protein‑rich meat. Yet most of the EU’s phosphorus supply comes from far‑away lands—mostly Russia and Morocco. A quick look at the data from Jan‑Jun 2025 shows that EU firms spent roughly €500 million on Russia‑derived fertilizers and phosphates, a jump of over 30% compared to last year.
- Why it matters: “Without phosphorus, Europe runs out of food. We have to treat phosphorus as the strategic resource it really is,” says Pär Larshans.
- Innovation Spotlight: Ragn‑Sells’ spin‑off, EasyMining, has cracked a tech that recovers more than 90 % of phosphorus from sewage sludge ash. The result? RevoCaP—an eco‑friendly, high‑purity recycled calcium phosphate that can replace imported phosphorus.
- EU Legislation Savvy: The Commission has recently cleared the use of RevoCaP for organic farming, but a stubborn BSE‑era bump in the legislation keeps it from being used in animal feeds.
If the ban sticks around, the reverse‑engineering machine behind RevoCaP might be shipped overseas, wiping out a green Belgian‑style market that could easily reach the billions of euros mark. By simply tweaking old annexes, the EU could unleash a win‑win: closing the phosphorus loop, boosting competitiveness, and printing a healthier future (and maybe a few smiles for the taxman).
Bottom line: Treat phosphorus like the secret sauce
So, the next time you spot a lawn that’s greener than your last paycheck, remember that behind it could be a high‑tech recycling lab and a strategic shift that keeps Europe thriving. And hey—if you’re a farmer, no need to pick your nose at the latest feed regulation drama; it’s all about making this planet a little greener, one phosphorus spark at a time!
