Nijhuis Saur Industries And AquaMinerals Forge Strategic Partnership To Drive Circular Nitrogen Recovery For Water Authorities

Leeuwarden, 22 May 2025 – IWA Resource Recovery Conference

In a major step toward accelerating the circular economy in water management, Byosis, part of Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI), and AquaMinerals have signed a strategic partnership agreement to support water authorities in the recovery and valorization of nitrogen from wastewater.

Turning waste into value
Harnessing cutting-edge Byoflex stripping technology developed by Byosis, nitrogen compounds such as ammonium sulfate and ammonia water can now be efficiently recovered and transformed into sustainable fertilizers. These high-quality, circular products not only reduce environmental impact but also present a valuable economic opportunity for the water sector

Unlocking the full potential of the circular economy
This collaboration is designed to help water authorities and utilities close the loop on water and resource recovery. With evolving regulations making it easier to reintroduce recovered nitrogen into the market — particularly in agriculture — the need for a coordinated, reliable offtake model is of essence to create scale and have real impact.

By combining AquaMinerals’ unique expertise in material valorization with Byosis technological and operational excellence, this partnership ensures a stable, scalable, and bundled supply of nitrogen products that unlock economies of scale and reduces risks for stakeholders.

Building a resilient resource recovery chain
"This partnership enables us to offer complete certainty regarding the off take of recovered nitrogen, removing a major hurdle for our clients while preserving operational flexibility," says Jan van den Broek, CEO of Byosis. "By smartly connecting supply with demand, we create tangible value across the chain fueling lasting and stable relationships."

Olaf van der Kolk, CEO of AquaMinerals, emphasizes the long-term vision: "Building new material chains requires future-proof collaboration. This partnership with Nijhuis Saur Industries brings together deep technical expertise and strategic market access — a powerful combination that benefits both water authorities and end-users of these nitrogen products."

Lowering barriers with a 'Customer-for-Life' mindset
Wilbert Menkveld, CTO of NSI, highlights the broader significance: "Water authorities and utilities are eager to reduce their carbon footprint and become more resilient. While nitrogen recovery is technically and economically viable, this partnership will provide the required off-take of the recovered ammonia and removing one of the last barriers to set a new global standard for recovering nitrogen."

About AquaMinerals
Established in 1995, AquaMinerals is a circular economy pioneer that transforms residuals from the water sector into high-value resources. Working closely with Dutch and Belgian drinking water companies and water authorities, AquaMinerals manages the entire value chain—from logistics andquality control to market development and end-use innovation.

As a trusted partner in resource recovery, AquaMinerals offers bespoke solutions that align with circular principles, ensuring residuals such as iron, struvite, lime, and calcite are repurposed into sustainable raw materials for construction, agriculture, and industry. With three decades of expertise and a strong network of partners, AquaMinerals plays a central role in the transition toward a circular water economy.

Our mission is to give residuals from our public participants a second life and drive systemic change across the water value chain. Through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, AquaMinerals contribute to the water-, materials-, and climate transitions. With every project, we strive to close loops, reduce waste, and create environmental and economic value for our participants and society at large. For more information, visit www.aquaminerals.com.

About Nijhuis Saur Industries
Founded in 1904, Nijhuis Saur Industries, part of Saur Group, provides solid and adaptive solutions for sustainable and resilient water use, energy- and resource recovery. Since the inception of Saur’s Industrial Water platform in 2020, more than 14 companies have been successfully acquired and integrated into one global operating company supporting municipal and industrial clients in over 140 countries with engineering and consultancy services, EPC / DBFOM project execution, mobile water solutions and O&M site services. With an extensive portfolio of innovative technologies and gamechanging solutions, Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI) delivers local, scalable, and circular water-ondemand solutions to more than 7,000 references around the world and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Our purpose is to be an advocate for water, ensuring everyone gives water the value it deserves. With our unique Customer for Life approach, we protect water resources, contribute to the water, energy, waste and food transition, and help to restore and close the water loop. We call it #MissionWater. For more information, visit www.nijhuissaurindustries.com