about us
P-Agro Minerals Explained
The need for a phosphorus recovery solution emerged from a real-life challenge: small and medium-sized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Latvia were struggling with excessive phosphorus discharge, contributing to pollution in the Baltic Sea. The scientific team at P-Agro Minerals recognized the urgency of addressing this issue and set out to develop a solution using natural, local materials to help resolve this environmental problem.
The concept of filtering phosphorus from wastewater is fundamentally rooted in science. Chemist Juris Kostjukovs is behind the idea and works extensively with various mineral materials. He discovered that one of these materials is particularly effective at detecting phosphorus. After researching patents, the team concluded that no one had used this material for this purpose before.
“Our unique selling proposition lies in how we prepare this mineral material and attribute phosphorus-attracting properties to it, which we then use in our filter,” explains P-Agro Minerals co-founder Annija Emersone.
Initially, Kostjukovs hoped to use the material in powder form, which would have resulted in sludge as the end product. While there are ways to use sludge as fertilizer, the regulations are fairly complex. He therefore continued searching for a solution that would make the captured phosphorus easier to use.As a result, P-Agro Minerals’ filter was developed as a transparent cylinder filled with the mineral material in granular form. The surface of this material “catches” the phosphorus.
Our team
Meet the team
Co-founders with more than 20+ years of experience in advanced material commercialisation and science intensive business development fields
The Chief Scientist specializes in Physical Chemistry and holds numerous patents.
An Advisory Board member provides 30+ years of expertise in the water management industry
Achievements and Milestones
From pilot projects to international collaborations, each milestone is a testament to our innovative approach and drive for measurable results. We are proud to share the progress and partnerships that are shaping the future of sustainable water management.
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION: FROM WASTEWATER TO FERTILIZER
Partnering with one of Europe’s largest sugar producers to validate phosphorus recovery from wastewater and its direct reuse as agricultural fertilizer.
MAJOR EU PROJECT LAUNCHED: INTERREG FOR OPEN WATER TREATMENT
Initiated a 3-year Interreg project applying Letonite filter technology for phosphorus removal in lakes and other open water systems.
EIT RAWMATERIALS: INVESTMENT SECURED
Accepted into the EIT RawMaterials Start-up Accelerator in 2023 and secured a €100K investment in 2024 to support scaling in the circular raw materials sector.
SUCCESSFUL PILOTS IN MUNICIPAL WWTPS
Completed manual 8 m³/24h pilot tests in two Latvian WWTPs (Summer 2024), achieving up to 95% phosphorus recovery.
Currently conducting month-long validation tests with Ecostandarts Tehnoloģijas at Ādaži municipal WWTP (Q1 2025), supporting scale-up and demo customer access.
ACCELERATOR SUCCESS IN AGRIFOOD, DEEP TECH, AND FEMALE INNOVATION
Graduated from top-tier European accelerator programs in 2024, including:
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EIT Food Accelerator Network
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EmpoWomen Programme
P-Agro Minerals was selected as one of only 11 women-led deep-tech startups (from 169 applicants) for EmpoWomen, securing a €45K grant. These programs provided access to market expertise, mentorship, and visibility across agrifood and innovation ecosystems.
