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TISDAG 26 AUGUSTI | MANNHEIMER SWARTLING STOCKHOLM

In early 2025, we explored the potential of recycling phosphogypsum to reduce phosphorus inflow into the Baltic Sea. Working with German and Polish partners, we investigated its market value and discovered promising signs of rare earth elements (REEs) in the waste. As demand for REEs rises, this could redefine phosphogypsum as a valuable resource. We’re also assessing its reuse in construction and the recovery of phosphorus—both critical raw materials. These efforts support both environmental protection and EU raw material security. The journey continues as we explore this “new gold” further.

The first quarter of 2025 was marked by intensive planning for the Dry Bulk project. We began by mapping Baltic terminals handling agricultural products, followed by visits to Gdańsk and Gdynia to discuss grain-related eutrophication risks and explore eco-friendly technologies. Collaboration talks with ports are underway, with more terminal visits set for April. In March, our project manager joined the INCONE60 Green team to discuss Elbląg’s development within the PortShaz project. We also deepened stakeholder dialogue with NGOs and local governments on dry bulk leakage impacts. Next up: a key work package meeting in Klaipeda in May.

In February, GYPREG partners from across the Baltic met in Uppsala and Stockholm for two inspiring days of lab visits, field trial planning, and lively talks with Swedish stakeholders. In March, we headed to Åland for The Farmers Day, connecting with farmers, researchers, and agri-companies—where our Finnish partner, John Nurminen Foundation, showcased exciting gypsum pilots. Now, we’re gearing up to boost our presence in Poland! With a new team member joining in May, we’re ready to ramp up dialogue and action on the ground to accelerate the stakeholder dialogue and practical work within the Polish agriculture sector. Big steps ahead for sustainable agriculture.

Together with sustainable building initiative Werstas Petraamo and John Nurminen Foundation, RFTB co-arranged a workshop in Helsinki on reed building materials in March. In February RFTB met with experts and key stakeholders at Lake Tåkern nature reserve. During February and March students at Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design have been working with reed as part of Industrial Design Course.  

In Q4 we co-arranged a study trip to Estonia, focusing on reed as a sustainable building material. Together with architects, thatchers, harvesters, and entrepreneurs from Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Estonia. Reed has been utilised in construction for centuries, and visits like these are an important step in preserving and sharing knowledge and expertise. In December RFTB organised a conference exploring reed as fodder together with SLU and Axfoundation. The day was full of knowledge sharing, inspiration, solution-oriented discussions and rendered a number of concrete actions. Together with Kalmar, RFTB will be launching a parallel reed project starting in Summer 2025. Around 50 hectares of reed will be harvested (both summer and winter). Also, the BalticReed project group released a project film that has been in production for the last few months. 

The PortSHAZ project's kickoff with project partners, including Port of Elbląg, K2 Solutions, Ptpi, and the Institute for Sustainable Economy and Logistics, took place in Q4. The team planned upcoming activities and conducted a study visit to the Vistula Spit. In November, the first work package activity, "EcoPort," was approved, highlighting frameworks and tools for dry bulk handling in Baltic ports. Q4 also saw the re-design and successful presentation of the Catalogue of Best Practices at the BPO Ports for Climate Conference in Tallinn, generating strong interest. Additionally, prevention covers were installed at Fabryka Zieleni and the Port of Gdańsk, advancing efforts to protect the Baltic Sea, with more covers set to be in place in Q1.

Race For The Baltic in partnership with Fabryka Zieleni and the Technical University of Koszalin, has launched a project to reduce phosphorus inflow into the Odra River and the Baltic Sea. Initial analyses are underway, with plans for targeted measures to follow. Additionally, under the Production project, our Project Managers have engaged in multiple meetings with with German academia and companies is exploring the recycling of phosphogypsum, addressing a gypsum shortage caused by reduced coal burning and natural gypsum mining in Germany. Together with our partners, we are exploring opportunities for cooperation to identify potential companies interested in Polish phosphogypsum, aiming for sustainable, long-term solutions.

The first of three years of the GYPREG project has past and many project activities are running. Field trials, research screening, calculations of potential and dialogues with farmers, advisories and Swedish authorities are some of them. Gypsum treatment is a rather unknown measure in Swedish agriculture, while it is wider spread in Finland. We have started  Swedish farmers using gypsum and have started to collect the existing experience. In the end of October, we visited Fredrik Andersson in Gamleby, Västervik. Fredrik used gypsum as an alternative to structural lime, which is prohibited in ecological farming, on all his land in 2011-2014. The gypsum treatment was one of several measures Fredrik implemented to decrease nutrient runoff from his fields. Still today he experiences better soil structure and less problems with drowned fields, more than ten years after the treatment.