SusPhos received EU funding for upcycling solution

UvA spin-off SusPhos has been selected for the EIC Accelerator funding. They receive a grant and an equity investment from the EU fund for its game-changing solution for upcycling phosphate from waste streams into sustainable products. SusPhos, now based in Leeuwarden, aims to create “urban mines” in Europe to produce phosphate compounds out of waste. Using a unique and patented technology, SusPhos has developed and markets a sustainable circular technical solution to upcycle phosphate from waste streams. With the EIC Accelerator funding the European Commission will finance an important part of SusPhos’ first full-scale factory.

Game-changing innovations

The EU fund supports individual Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. The EIC welcomes applications from innovators in all EU Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme. Marissa de Boer, CEO SusPhos: “We are very proud to have been selected for both the grant and the equity investment through a highly extensive and competitive selection process. The successful EIC funding is a real honor for SusPhos and enables us to accelerate in bringing sustainable phosphates to the market by unlocking other necessary funding sources.”

Turning waste into sustainable products

As a waste product of the waste incineration industry, phosphate is an environmental problem. At the same time, phosphate is a raw material for e.g. fertilisers or flame retardants. As it is now extracted from mines, its supply is finite. Phosphorus is of high importance to the EU, listed twice in the European critical raw materials list.

The SusPhos method and technology

With the developed patented chemical technology, SusPhos provides an ‘urban mining’ solution to extract phosphate from phosphate-rich waste streams, such as sewage sludge. After processing, SusPhos offers a high-quality sustainable product, giving a new destination to an environmental problem. This form of upcycling gives phosphate added value on both the supplier and customer side. In doing so, SusPhos also prevents incinerated sludge from being dumped in old mines any longer, as happens now. Moreover, within the current geopolitical context, SusPhos offers the opportunity for affordable European-produced phosphat.