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Phosphorus (P) and ammonia are essential elements for living organisms and key nutrients in fertilizers, crucial for food production. However, they are also pollutants, causing harm to freshwater sources, contribute to climate change and responsible for biodiversity losses, if untreated in wastewater treatment plants. Current phosphorus (P) removal in wastewater treatment relies on metal-based coagulants, which are expensive, produce sludge, emit greenhouse gases, and offer limited resource recovery. In the UK, over £4.5 billion is planned for P removal between 2025 and 2030, highlighting the need for better alternatives. The bio-mineral phosphorus removal (BMPR) process is an innovative biological method using microorganisms with targeted metabolic pathways to extract nutrients and produce bio-fertiliser. Unlike traditional systems, BMPR is coagulant-free, does not generate sludge, and can be switched on or off depending on treatment needs. It supports high effluent quality (<2 mg P/L) and is adaptable to both small and large-scale treatment.

Progress update

The BMPR process has shown over 97% phosphorus removal and recovery within 2–10 hours. It produces high-purity struvite, comparable to synthetic alternatives, suitable as a valuable fertiliser. Trials confirm its effectiveness in mainstream and sidestream wastewater, as well as urine, including in European Space Agency-funded applications for Moon and Mars missions. Key advantages include no sludge production, reduced chemical use, and the ability to operate under highly variable nutrient loads. Its scalability makes it suitable for individual households, remote settings, and full-scale treatment plants, offering environmental and economic benefits while supporting circular economy goals.