SYSTEMIC Project Annual Performance Update: Eco-Innovative Mineral Recovery from Organic Waste in Europe

Annual performance report on five European demonstration plants under the SYSTEMIC project, focusing on eco-innovative mineral recovery and biogas production from organic waste. The plants—Groot Zevert Vergisting (Netherlands), Am-Power (Belgium), Acqua & Sole (Italy), BENAS (Germany), and Waterleau NewEnergy (Belgium)—demonstrate advanced nutrient recovery and reuse (NRR) technologies. Each facility processes 120–180 kt of feedstock annually, using mesophilic or thermophilic anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, recover nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and reduce environmental impact. Key outputs include 7–20 million Nm³ biogas per year, energy generation, and fertiliser production. Data from June–October 2020 show nutrient mass flows and KPIs such as EBIT margin and substrate financial productivity. Funded by the EU H2020 programme (grant No 730400), the project ran from 2017 to 2021, aiming to enhance sustainability and circular economy in organic waste management.