Slovenia aims to become self-sufficient in the recovery and treatmant of sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP sludge). The country produces more than 200,000 tonnes of municipal sludge per year. Extraction processes can recover up to 27 critical raw materials identified as essential for Europe.
The WWTP sludge is also a potential source of phosphorus and is recognised at the EU level as a secondary source of this critical raw material. Technologies for the recovery of phosphorus from the WWTP sludge are being developed and an alternative method for the biological leaching of phosphorus will be tested under this action. In addition, innovative technologies for the recovery of WWTP sludge, such as pyrolysis, composting and a recycling process into composite materials for landfill applications will be tested.
Objectives: To demonstrate the technical, environmental, economic and social feasibility of extracting phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and organic matter from WWTP sludge; to explore viable treatment options for WWTP sludge and to validate best available technologies.
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